Exploring nuclear power, hydrogen technologies, and battery storage as avenues for producing clean electricity is a suggestion put forward by John FitzGerald.
Ireland is taking significant strides towards a carbon-neutral and reliable electricity system, as the country increasingly electrifies its transport and heat sectors. The strategy involves a comprehensive approach, encompassing renewable energy integration, energy storage, hydrogen fuel, grid interconnection, nuclear options, and protection of infrastructure.
Renewable Energy Expansion
Ireland's renewable energy sector is already making progress, with renewables providing around one-third of the country's electricity as of July 2025. Wind energy accounts for 24%, and solar energy contributes 6%. The coal-free era, which began in June 2025, underscores this progress. However, continued investment in grid upgrades is essential to accommodate greater variable renewable penetration and enhance system resilience.
Hydrogen-Based Fuels
The Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025 emphasizes the use of renewable heating fuels, particularly biomethane, to decarbonize heat. Hydrogen, produced via renewable electricity, can complement biomethane by providing a low-carbon fuel for heat and transport, helping balance variable renewable supply and sector coupling.
Battery and Energy Storage
To manage the variability of renewables, advanced battery storage and smart grid solutions are crucial. Initiatives like ESB Networks’ smart infrastructure and digital innovations will enable real-time demand management, demand forecasting, and empower consumers to actively participate in balancing supply and demand.
European Grid Interconnection
Strengthening Ireland’s electricity system connections with continental Europe is vital for reliability and integration of renewables. Interconnections can import electricity during low renewable output periods, providing a secure supply.
Nuclear Energy Considerations
While not explicitly detailed in recent Irish plans, nuclear energy can provide reliable low-carbon baseload power. Its role in Ireland would depend on political decisions and public acceptance but could support stability as electrification increases.
Protection of Undersea Infrastructure
Given Ireland’s reliance on undersea interconnectors and offshore wind, robust adaptation and protection strategies are crucial. The Electricity and Gas Networks Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan (EGN SAP 2025) prioritizes strengthening the resilience of electricity and gas networks against climate impacts, including extreme weather, which may damage undersea cables and infrastructure.
Additional Key Points
- Ensuring a just transition to protect vulnerable groups while maintaining affordability and reliability.
- Collaborations among energy providers, public bodies, and communities to foster acceptance and active participation in the energy transition, particularly in cities undergoing electrification of heat and transport.
- Supporting policies and investments that accelerate renewable heat integration, energy efficiency, and grid resilience.
In summary, Ireland’s pathway to a carbon-neutral, reliable electricity system with increased electrification involves expanding and integrating renewables, deploying hydrogen and battery storage technologies, enhancing European interconnections, potentially considering nuclear for grid stability, and protecting critical infrastructure from climate impacts with cohesive stakeholder collaboration.
- To maintain the growth of renewable energy in Ireland, additional investment is required in the finance sector to fund the necessary advancements in renewable-energy technology and infrastructure, such as grid upgrades and battery storage.
- The integration of environmental-science principles in the finance industry can help ensure a sustainable and efficient allocation of resources for renewable energy, climate-change mitigation, and other environmentally-focused projects.
- As Ireland continues to electrify its transport and heat sectors, the environmental-science industry plays a crucial role in assessing the potential impacts of increased electrification on the environment, including air and water quality, and in proposing strategies for minimizing these impacts while ensuring a carbon-neutral energy future.
