On Thursday, 19th February, NESC hosted a policy roundtable on the role of the green hydrogen sector in Ireland’s energy transition.    

NESC’s work on the energy transition has included consideration of strategic policy issues in relation to the outlook for the green hydrogen sector in Ireland. This work found that green hydrogen has the potential to play an important role in reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels in hard to decarbonise sectors (see NESC, 2025). However, challenges and uncertainties remain in relation to costs, scaling, infrastructure readiness, regulatory frameworks, export routes, and demand certainty.

In advance of the roundtable attendees were asked to consider several key strategic policy issues including:  

• The potential uses for green hydrogen that make the most sense technically, economically, and environmentally in the Irish context;
• The potential role of green hydrogen in securing and decarbonising the power system;
• Strategic options and potential policy interventions to contain and reduce the cost of green hydrogen production in Ireland, as well as consideration of inter-generational cost-bearing;
• Considerations in terms of the prospect of Ireland becoming an exporter of green hydrogen;
• The key research gaps that must be addressed to support the development of the green hydrogen sector in Ireland; and  
• Societal understanding and acceptance of green hydrogen technology and infrastructure.  

The policy roundtable was Chaired by Prof John Fitzgerald (TCD/ESRI) and included presentations from Prof Paul Deane (UCC), Ms Lisa Pearce (DCEE), Ms Meadhbh Connolly, and Ms Keelan Glennane (ESB).

The roundtable was attended by a wide range of experts and stakeholders, including representatives from DCEE, DCU, Dept of An Taoiseach, Electricity Association of Ireland, EirGrid, Energy Co-Operatives Ireland, ESB, ESRI, GNI, Hydrogen Ireland, Ibec, IDA, NSAI, SEAI, TCD, UCC, UCD, and Wind Energy Ireland.