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Ireland Key Figures

Population:
5.12 million
GDP growth rate:
12.0 %/year
Energy independence:
21.6%

Data of the last year available: 2022

Total consumption/GDP:*
38.5 (2005=100)
CO2 Emissions:
6.54 tCO2/capita
Rate of T&D power losses:
7.46%

* at purchasing power parity

View all macro and energy indicators in the Ireland energy report

Ireland Related Research

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

A data overview is available in the global energy statistics app

Total Energy Consumption

In 2022, consumption per capita was 2.7 toe (down from 3.2 toe in 2010) and about 10% below the EU average. Per capita electricity consumption was almost 6000 kWh in 2022, slightly above the EU average.

Graph: CONSUMPTION TRENDS BY ENERGY SOURCE (Mtoe)

Interactive Chart Ireland Total Energy Consumption

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

View the detailed fondamentals of the market at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the Ireland energy report

Crude Oil Production

There is currently no oil production. Providence Resources was the first company to report commercially viable oil flow from its Barryroe well in 2012.

Ireland imports all its crude oil and about 90% of its refined product needs. Ireland's oil dependency is among the highest in the EU.

Ireland has just one oil refinery, the Whitegate refinery located in Cork, with a capacity of 75 kb/d. It processes crude, mainly sourced from the North Sea, North Africa, and West Africa.

Interactive Chart Ireland Crude Oil Production

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

Additionally, for more detailed information on refineries, you can request a sample of our EMEA Refineries Dataset

Oil Products Consumption

The consumption of oil products remained stable in 2022 at 6.3 Mt, after an 8% drop in 2020. Previously, it had remained quite stable over 2013 and 2019, after a rapid decrease between 2006 and 2013 (-6%/year).

Transport absorbs 57% of oil demand (2022), followed by the residential-tertiary sector (25%) and industry (12%) (including non-energy uses).

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

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Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2022, %)

Interactive Chart Ireland Refined Oil Products Production

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

Additionally, for more detailed information on refineries, you can request a sample of our EMEA Refineries Dataset

Natural Gas Consumption

Natural gas consumption decreased by 5% in 2021 and stabilised in 2022 at 5.3 bcm. It rose between 2016 and 2020 (+1.9%/year), after a 16% rebound in 2015. It decreased sharply (-5.5%/year) between its peak level in 2010 at 5.5 bcm and 2014, as a result of a reduction in power generation from gas (-10%/year).

Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)

Interactive Chart Ireland Natural Gas Domestic Consumption

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

Additionally, for more detailed information on the LNG trade, you can request a sample of our EMEA LNG Trade Dataset

Coal Consumption

The consumption of coal and peat dropped from 6 Mt in 2016 to 2.1 Mt in 2022 (-65%).

Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

The electricity sector absorbs 61% of coal and peat consumption, followed by the residential-tertiary sector with 27%.

Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2022, %)

Interactive Chart Ireland Coal and Lignite Domestic Consumption

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

View the detailed consumption trends at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the Ireland energy report

Power Consumption

Electricity consumption has increased by 2.5%/year since 2014, reaching 30.6 TWh in 2022. It decreased between 2008 and 2012 (-2.3%/year), driven by the economic crisis.

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)

Services are the largest electricity consumers with 47%, followed by households (30%) and industry (21%) (2022).

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2022, %)

Renewable in % Electricity Production

SEAI is also the agency in charge of the implementation of the renewable energy policy.

The objective of increasing the share of renewables in final energy consumption to 16% in 2020 was met, of which 40% was for electricity (42% in 2020), 12% for heat (6.3%), and 10% in transport (10.2%). For 2030, the target set in the NECP is to reach a share of 34.1% of renewables in final consumption (80% of which for electricity).

Interactive Chart Ireland Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

Learn more about renewables in the European Battery Market Analysis

CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions

GHG emissions increased by 5% in 2021 to 69.4 MtCO2, which is 12% above their 1990 level. Emissions decreased by 2.7%/year between 2017 and 2020; previously, they had been increasing by 1.6%/year since 2012. These emissions fell by 15%, from their 2005 peak level of 78 MtCO2 to 65 MtCO2 in 2012, because of the economic crisis.