Experts Gather to Discuss NESC Research on Ireland’s Future Energy System

• 30 October 2024
• Topics: Energy and renewables
• Types: Events

Last Wednesday, 23^rd October 2024, The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) gathered national stakeholders to consider the preliminary findings of its research into the future of Ireland’s energy system. That research, part of NESC’s wider energy research programme, examines how the transition to a decarbonised electricity system will impact Ireland’s economic resilience.

The event brought together experts from the power sector including industry, Government Departments and Agencies, academics, State bodies, and representative organisations.

Opening the event, NESC Director Dr Larry O’Connell said, “the NESC Council have a vision for a sustainable, thriving net zero Ireland. To get there, we need to understand the enterprise opportunities and the economic resilience impacts associated with transition in the power sector. This will improve policy and inform a supportive narrative”. He added, “our research is not about whether to transition to net zero or whether to decarbonise our energy system, it is about how to do so”.

Dr Cathal FitzGerald (NESC Senior Analyst), who undertook the research, outlined the early findings and draft recommendations. “Our research has found a complex landscape of quantitative assessments, and an absence of clarity around certain aspects of future energy-system reliability, cost, and the potential to export” he said. “Overall, the economic opportunities and resilience impacts for Ireland could be outlined to a far greater extent”.

“On the plus side, there are lessons from other countries on how to address this, and – if acted upon here – would improve policy development, inform the narrative around decarbonisation, and ultimately support the transition to cleaner power”, Dr FitzGerald added. “NESC’s research findings point to the value of having a clear, evidence-based national strategy for transition in the power sector”, he concluded.

The assembled experts from across the power sector and the policy system discussed the research and provided insights, which will now inform its finalisation.

The research will be concluded over the coming weeks and will be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the NESC Council. Once agreed and completed, it will be submitted to the Taoiseach and Government for consideration.