Connecting People to the Energy Transition

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Ireland is undertaking a large-scale transformation of its energy system, moving from fossil fuels to largely renewable sources to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. With legal targets to be achieved and a widening gap between current progress and required reductions, the Council recognises that this is a societal as well as economic and technological challenge. The transition must ensure that emissions are reduced while also protecting energy security, affordability and reliability for people. There will be costs and risks; some people will be more affected than others.

There are challenges in delivering a just transition and there are new risks to energy reliability, highlighted by extreme weather events. In this report, the Council recognises that this transition must be just, ensuring equitable distribution of costs and benefits while protecting vulnerable groups. Adopting a societal lens is crucial for understanding how households are connected to the energy system and strengthening this connection for successful implementation.

The Council focuses on five broad areas where actions can be taken, as detailed in this report:

• Energy Affordability, Energy Poverty, Monitoring and Targeting;
• Scaling Energy Efficiency and Clean Heat;
• Helping Households Reap Electricity Benefits;
• Place-Based Energy Resilience and Local Production; and
• Strengthening Energy Connections.