The Irish Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) has unveiled the country's first Draft National Energy & Climate Plan (NECP) 2021-2030, which should be filed to the European Commission by the end of December 2018. It will remain open for public consultation until the end of February 2019. The final version of the document will be developed taking into account potential feedback and is expected for the end of 2019.
The draft provides an overview of Ireland's current policy strategy and sets out a vision for a transformation of its energy systems, moving to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, decrease the reliance on fossil fuels and raise the share of renewables in the domestic power generation mix.
The document sets a renewable electricity target of 55% in the power generation mix by 2030, mostly with the development of offshore wind, solar power and biomass. Coal and peat are expected to be gradually removed from power generation, which will result in CO2 emissions from the power sector halving by 2030. Besides, electric vehicles (EVs) are slated to account for about 20% of the domestic fleet by then. The NECP also promotes energy efficiency measures in buildings, including building renovation and replacement of oil-fired boilers by heat pumps and solar panels.