From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
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Ireland welcomes that Member States across the EU have shown solidarity against the weaponisation of gas supplies by Russia, by reaching agreement on a regulation on gas demand reduction. The regulation includes a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% this winter.
The regulation also includes a mandatory reduction requirement in the event of a substantial risk of an EU-wide gas shortage. This agreement includes a range of flexibilities that reflect different Member State circumstances with regard to gas supplies.
In Ireland’s case it has been recognised that our gas grid is not interconnected to any other Member State and Ireland, therefore, has the possibility of an exemption from the mandatory reduction requirement.
The department will now review and consider the implications of this regulation, in conjunction with the Energy Security Emergency Group, to examine options to reduce gas demand in solidarity with other EU Member States.
The EU commitment aligns with messaging from the Irish Government’s own 'Reduce Your Use' campaign – launched as part of the National Energy Security Framework in April this year. The next phase of the 'Reduce Your Use' campaign, which will begin over the coming months as we approach the winter period, will be very important to help save both energy use and costs for consumers.
While Ireland is not connected to the EU gas system, the increasing cost of gas will impact on Irish users.
ENDS
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications established an Energy Security Emergency Group (chaired by the Secretary General) in April, as set out in the National Energy Security Framework.
This group coordinates and oversees national-level activity and responses in relation to the impact of the war on energy security. Energy security is defined by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.
The group includes representatives from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA), the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), EirGrid and the SEAI.
We can all see how war and conflict are affecting energy prices across Europe. It’s no different in Ireland. The government provides a range of supports to lessen the impacts on homes and businesses. By reducing our energy use, we can save money and limit our reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Go to gov.ie - Reduce Your Use (www.gov.ie) for more information on the 'Reduce Your Use' campaign.