Renewable energy

Renewable energy comes from natural sources like the sun, wind or water. These resources are abundant, which means we won’t use them up over time.

They do not release carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. This means renewable energy is the greener and more sustainable choice.

We have found different ways to use these renewable natural resources to make energy. This means we rely less on non-renewable resources that harm and pollute our environment like coal.

To learn more about the different types of renewable energy used in Ireland, visit the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) website.

Water 

Water or hydropower is the world’s biggest source of renewable energy.

We can source energy from water by using:

• Waves
• Tides
• River currents

However, hydropower can sometimes have negative effects on the environment. For example, large dams can disrupt river ecosystems and nearby communities.

You can see a map of all the hydropower in Ireland on SEAI’s website.

Wind

We can harness the power of wind to make electricity using wind turbines. Wind energy is growing in Ireland and provided 34% of electricity supply in Ireland in 2023.

There are 2 types of wind energy projects:

• Offshore: Wind turbines at sea
• Onshore: Wind turbines on land

When turbines are installed near where people live, there can be more objections to how they look and sound.

You can see where wind turbines are installed in Ireland using the SEAI’s Wind Atlas.

Solar

Solar power comes from converting the sun’s light into electricity. This can happen in 2 ways:

• Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels turn light into electricity
• Solar collector panels use light to create heat

In recent years solar energy has become very popular with more homes and businesses using solar panels to produce electricity and heat.

The SEAI has grants for homes and businesses to help you cover the cost of installing solar panels and solar thermal options.

Bioenergy

Bioenergy is a renewable source of energy that is created by burning biomass fuels. Bioenergy can be used instead of fossil fuels and produces less carbon.

Biomass fuel comes from organic material such as:

• Crops
• Organic waste
• Harvest residue

Examples of biomass fuels include:

• Solid fuels like wood pellets and wood chips
• Liquid fuels like ethanol and biodiesel
• Biogas and biomethane

You can read case studies about bioenergy on SEAI’s website.

Geothermal

Geothermal energy is a renewable source that uses the Earth’s heat to make energy.

Geo means 'earth' and 'thermal' means heat.

The heat is generated underground in the Earth’s core and moves towards the surface. This heat is constantly produced and does not run out. It is very popular in countries like Iceland which naturally have lots of geothermal natural features such as geysers.

Geothermal energy can be extracted by power plants that dig deep wells in the ground to tap into high-temperature water and steam. This steam can power turbines to generate energy.

It can also be used for domestic heat pumps. For a heat pump to work, pipes are laid out and buried in the garden. The system pumps a liquid through the pipes to absorb the heat and bring it back indoors.

You can apply for a heat pump system grant on SEAI.ie.

Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will run out or will not be renewed for thousands of years. Most non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels, such as:

• Coal
• Oil
• Natural gas

Burning fossil fuels is very harmful to the environment. When they are burned, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and other pollution into the air, water and land. This disturbs animals and plants and harms the environment.

Currently, 83% of Ireland’s energy comes from fossil fuels. This figure is falling, and the capacity for renewable energy is growing.

You can read more about energy sources in the Climate Jargon Buster, which explains complex ideas and terms about energy and climate action.

Renewable energy allows us to rely less on fossil fuels. By using more renewable sources, we can help reduce pollution in our ecosystems and protect the environment.

The Government is supporting the switch to renewable energy by:

• Developing plans and policies to encourage use of renewable energy
• Supporting individuals, communities and businesses with grants to install renewable energy solutions like heat pumps and solar panels.

You can see our sections on Grants to improve energy use in your home and Community grants for renewable energy for more information.

Climate action plan

Ireland has committed to using more renewable energy and there are targets on this in the Climate Action Plan. The plan helps Ireland meet targets set by the EU and other international agreements. Some of Ireland’s targets for 2030 include:

• Generating 80% of electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind power
• Increasing the number of electric vehicles (EVs) to around 1 million by 2030, including 1,500 electric buses
• Increasing the amount of energy that comes from renewable sources for heating homes and businesses
• Reducing emissions from the public sector by 51% by 2030 with Green Teams in every public body

Carbon budgets

A carbon budget sets out the total amount of greenhouse gases allowed to be released over a specific period. It helps balance the amount of carbon in the ocean, earth and air.

Ireland has its own carbon budget that keeps the country on track to reach its climate goals. It includes the whole economy, except aviation and shipping.

In the proposed carbon budget for 2031-2040, Ireland aims to stop using fossil fuels completely by 2039. You can read more about the next proposed budget at the Climate Change Advisory Council website.

Smoky coal ban

It is illegal to sell, market, distribute or burn smoky (bituminous) coal in all cities and towns with more than 10,000 people. This aims to improve air quality and reduce pollution.

Instead, people are encouraged to use ‘smokeless fuel’.

All smokeless solid fuel products must be clearly labelled as ‘smokeless fuel’.

Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme (RHO)

The Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme (RHO) will mean that suppliers of fossil fuels used for heating will have to ensure that a percentage of their energy supply comes from renewable energy sources. The scheme is due to run from 2026 until 2045. But it is not in place yet, as it needs legislation to bring it in.

The goal of the RHO is to reduce emissions in the heating sector and support the country’s national climate and energy targets.

Generating energy takes time and money, even when its renewable. Using less energy at home can help you lower your bills and reduce your impact on the environment. By making small changes, we can make a big difference over time.

Tips to reduce your energy use

Here are some simple ways to save energy at home:

Lights

• Switch to LED lightbulbs. LED bulbs are 85% more energy efficient than traditional lightbulbs.
• Only turn on lights when you need them and don’t forget to turn them off when you leave a room.

Timers and controls

• Use timers and controls to turn the heating on when you need it.
• Turn your heating on 30 minutes before you need it and turn it off 30 minutes before you don’t need it anymore.
• If you don’t have heating timers or controls, you may qualify for a heating controls grant.

Radiators

• Turn off radiators or lower the temperature on them in the rooms you don’t use often.
• Fit radiator reflectors behind your radiators to help keep heat in the room.
• Use shorter curtains that don’t cover your radiators and you can keep heat inside your home.

Draughts

• Look for draughts of cold air in windows, keyholes and doors. Try to fill these gaps.
• Use a chimney balloon in unused fireplaces. A chimney balloon can help insulate your home and prevent cold air getting in.

Hot water

• Use an immersion timer so that you have hot water when you need it.
• Have your boiler serviced once a year to make it safer and run more efficiently.

Washing machines and dishwashers

• Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.
• Run your washing machine on a cooler cycle, like 30 degrees.
• Run your dishwasher at the eco setting or at a lower temperature.

Fridges and freezers 

• Keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible.

For every 10-20 seconds the fridge door is open, it takes 45 minutes for the fridge to cool back down to its previous temperature.

The oven

• Keep the oven door shut when you are cooking. You can lose 20% of the heat every time you open it.
• Keep the oven clean so you can look in and to reduce cooking time.
• Try to cook several dishes at once while you use the oven by using all its shelves.

The hob

• Use a pot or pan that matches the size of the ring.
• Use a pot that is appropriate for the amount of food you’re cooking.
• Cover the pots and pans with lids to trap heat and cook food faster.

Microwaves

• Defrost food in the fridge instead of using the microwave. Although it takes longer, it uses less energy.

Laptops

• Unplug your laptop when it is fully charged.
• If you are working from home, try not to leave your laptop plugged in all day.
• Remember to unplug it at the end of the day.

Electricity providers and renewable energy

Some electricity providers offer sustainable plans that guarantee the electricity you are getting comes from renewable sources.

By using electricity from renewable resources, you can reduce your carbon footprint.

You can find out about sustainable electricity plans by:

• Talking to your electricity supplier
• Checking switching websites to find out about sustainable plans offered from other electricity providers

Visit our page on switching suppliers for more information about how to switch.

Make your home more energy efficient

You can also save energy by making your home more energy efficient.

By being more energy efficient, you can:

• Save money
• Improve your Building Energy Rating (BER)
• Help protect the environment

BER rating

A BER certificate rates your home’s energy performance on a scale from A to G. Homes with an A rating are the most energy efficient.

To improve your BER rating, you can add a renewable energy system to your home to provide heat, hot water or electricity. Examples of popular renewable systems include:

• Heat pumps
• Solar water heating panels
• Solar photovoltaic panels

You can get grants from the SEAI for a BER assessment, insulation and renewables. See Grants for improving energy use in your home below for more information.

Insulation

Insulating your home is one of the most effective ways to make it more energy efficient. You can insulate your home by adding insulating materials to your attic and walls to stop heat escaping.

You can insulate:

• The walls on the inside or the outside of your house.
• Your cavity walls

By insulating your home’s external walls, you could reduce heat loss by 20 – 30%.

Read the SEAI’s Homeowner’s Guide to Wall Insulation (pdf).

Boilers

Replacing an old boiler is another way to make your home greener. If your boiler is more than 15 years old, they are generally:

• Less energy efficient than new ones
• Cost 25% more to run

Replacing a boiler with a renewable alternative, like a heat pump, will help you save energy and money. Heat pumps capture heat from the air or ground outside and use it to warm up your home.

You can apply for a Heat pump system grant on SEAI.ie.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is Ireland’s national sustainable energy authority. The SEAI offers grants for homeowners who want to use renewable energy in their homes or improve their BER rating (Building Energy Rating). A BER rating indicates the energy performance in your home.

These SEAI grants include:

Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme

A scheme for people on low incomes that provides free home energy upgrades.

The Solar Electricity Grant

A grant to help with the cost of buying and installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for your home.

Better Energy Homes Scheme

A scheme for homeowners and landlords who want to do certain energy upgrades and manage the process themselves.

National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme

A scheme for homeowners, landlords and approved housing bodies who want to bring their homes up to a BER rating of B2 or above using a private company to manage the project.

Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS)

A scheme that allows homes, businesses, farms and community buildings to sell any excess electricity they produce from solar panels back to the grid.

Electric vehicles

The SEAI also have a number of electric vehicle grants available.

There are community grants available to support people who want to bring renewable energy to their local area. These grants include:

The Community Grant programme

This programme is funded by the SEAI and supports new approaches to energy efficiency in Irish communities.

The grant offers support to:

• Improve building structures and insulation
• Upgrade equipment and systems, for example, fitting timer clocks on water heaters
• Integrate renewable energy sources, for example, using solar panels for energy

Projects that qualify must be community focused and must show they can finance the projects. For more details, visit SEAI.ie.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS)

This scheme gives financial support to renewable energy projects in Ireland.

The scheme helps communities participate in energy projects by offering:

• Support from trusted advisors
• Financial help

For more information about the RESS scheme, visit Gov.ie.