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From:Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment Darragh O’Brien today announced the commencement of a new White Paper on Ireland’s power sector – encompassing electricity generation, transmission, distribution and regulation. This White Paper will set out the long-term vision for Ireland’s power sector to 2050. It will provide a framework for future policy development, legislation and investment – towards achieving Ireland’s stated 2050 obligation of climate neutrality in the EU.

Ireland’s long-standing energy strategy is to electrify the economy. This is the model through which Ireland will seek to achieve clean, secure, affordable energy by 2050. The White Paper will address strategic issues and trade-offs in the power sector and will set out how we can develop a future energy system that is based on clean electricity, more energy security and affordability for all. It will be grounded in high quality systems-level analysis that will examine risks; scenarios; supply and demand; the grid; and governance. It will identify and evaluate the policy choices available to the Government – over the period to 2050.

Commenting, Minister O’Brien said:

“Ireland’s energy transition represents a momentous opportunity for us all, to help make our economy and industries more efficient and competitive, to open new opportunities for businesses, and create tangible benefits for our communities across Ireland.

“This White Paper will be a key part of guiding the energy transition to clean, secure, affordable electricity. It will set a path to deliver – for this generation and future generations.

“It will require national conversation and collaboration. Starting today, I invite all stakeholders across Government and the public, private and voluntary sectors to work with us on this initiative.”

As part of ensuring our energy policy is robust, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment engaged the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2024 to undertake a holistic energy security study for Ireland. This was in the context of recommendations in theMcCarthy Review of Electricity Security of Supply, the 2024IEA policy Review of Ireland (IDR)and in the context of the Department’sEnergy Security in Ireland to 2030report.

The IEA produced the 'Powering Ireland’s Energy Future’ report, which involved an extensive review and assessment of the outlook for Ireland’s energy security. The report identified a clear need to establish a unified cross-sectoral energy strategy to set a vision to guide the transition, supported by a detailed security study on the electricity supply mix.

The White Paper will seek to work within and across existing frameworks, such as the National Energy and Climate Plan, the Climate Action Plan and the National Energy Demand Strategy.

The development of this White Paper will include regular and ongoing engagement with stakeholders. A governance structure will be used to support the development of the White Paper, involving cross departmental and sectoral engagement. The external advisory group will include external experts from energy and enterprise sectors.