Majority of Irish consumers say renewable energy should be prioritised over the next five years

• A survey of more than 2,000 Irish consumers conducted by Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable energy producer, has found that almost three quarters of Irish consumers are worried about the State’s energy security
• 74% of consumers want to see an increased emphasis placed on the rollout of renewable energy
• Less than half of respondents believe Ireland will meet its 2030 climate targets

Statkraft, Europe’s largest producer of renewable energy, is calling for a ‘Government of Implementation’ that will prioritise critical investment in the State’s various grid, planning and energy bodies, and help speed up the development of renewable energy capacity.

It comes as a new survey conducted by Statkraft shows that almost three quarters of Irish consumers are worried about the country’s energy security and believe the expansion of renewable energy should be given increased priority.

As political parties continue negotiations to form the next government, Statkraft is calling on the new elected representatives to place increased emphasis on the delivery of critical renewable energy projects, which will deliver a cheaper energy source, while reducing Ireland’s dependence on expensive gas. 

The findings of the Statkraft survey show there is significant public support for the next government to dramatically speed up the rollout of renewable energy solutions, with 74 per cent of respondents saying greater priority should be given to the development of offshore and onshore wind, solar, and battery storage, to improve the country’s energy security. 

Despite this, just 43 per cent of consumers believe that Ireland will have the necessary infrastructure in place to be fully renewable by 2050.

Commenting on the survey results, Kevin O’Donovan, Managing Director of Statkraft Ireland and UK, said:

“While Ireland has a very clear policy framework in place for the development of renewables, it remains incredibly challenging to deliver critical infrastructure in this country that will help reduce our emissions. 

“As our political parties continue to negotiate towards forming a new government, I would urge all sides to prioritise the delivery of renewable energy and set out a clear ambition for dealing with the very real challenges we see in the grid network and the planning process. Essential grid infrastructure needs to be at the heart of the next programme for government. The next five years are absolutely critical for Ireland if we are to have any hope of becoming completely energy secure, which means the next government must be a government of implementation. 

“Irish people are with us, 3 out of 4 people want to see renewables prioritised, and we hear that every day on the ground when we engage with communities. It is understandable that people can feel powerless when living in a climate crisis, but there are solutions.

“The policy is in place, the technology is developed, and the investment is ready. All that remains is for much greater speed of delivery and implementation.”

Statkraft’s survey found that the majority (73 per cent) of respondents believe that renewable energy is better for the environment, while 57 per cent said renewables help reduce the cost of energy bills. 

Statkraft has been in Ireland since 2018 developing and building projects across the technologies of onshore wind, offshore wind, solar and grid services. It has committed to delivering 3GW of renewable energy by 2030.