National Comprehensive Assessment of the Potential for Efficient Heating and Cooling in Ireland (2025)

The National Comprehensive Assessment of the Potential for Efficient Heating and Cooling in Ireland has been prepared in accordance with Article 25(1) and Annex X of Directive (EU) 2023/1791 on energy efficiency (Energy Efficiency Directive). It also incorporates, as an accompanying Technical Annex, the assessment of renewable energy and waste heat potential required under Article 23(1)(b) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (Renewable Energy Directive III). Under Statutory Instrument 426 of 2014, which transposes this requirement into domestic law, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has responsibility to carry this out.

The Assessment was previously completed in 2015 and 2020, although requirements have changed for each iteration. The 2025 Assessment updates data, assumptions and modelling to reflect recent developments and policy context.

The Assessment:

• Describes current and projected national heating and cooling demand and final energy consumption, supply technologies, waste heat, renewable sources, and the current and future potential for district heating.
• Reviews existing Irish policies and planned contributions to EU Energy Union objectives as they relate to heating and cooling.
• Provides an analysis of the economic potential of a decarbonised heat sector by comparing baseline and alternative scenarios to quantify energy, emissions, and cost impacts, using the National Energy Modelling Framework.
• Identifies areas where further strategies and policy measures may be required to support an efficient, secure and cost‑effective transition away from fossil fuels in the heating and cooling sector.

The Technical Annex, informs the Assessment and also:

• Provides a detailed assessment of Ireland’s renewable energy and waste heat resources for heating and cooling.
• Evaluates current and future technology options.
• Offers strategic recommendations to accelerate decarbonisation in line with national and EU climate targets.

We submitted the Comprehensive Assessment to the European Commission on 15 May 2026