This week saw the publication of two important consultations on decisions needed to progress several major renewable energy projects off the coasts of Ireland, as momentum to decarbonise the economy grows.

The European Commission has recently published a report entitled Do current regulatory frameworks in the EU support innovation and security of supply in electricity and gas infrastructure?

The Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Act 2023 provided for certain entities to make returns to the CRU not later than December 2023.

The CER has published its decision on the South-North Gas Pipeline (SNP) and Compliance with EU law.

The Irish Government has secured approval for revisions to the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, legislation designed to accelerate district heating adoption across Ireland. Research indicates that waste heat from data centres and pharmaceutical plants could meet approximately 80% of Dublin's heat demand by 2050, potentially heating over 1 million homes through renewable and waste heat sources.

The energy sector in Ireland in 2022 was characterised by unprecedented challenges, rapidly changing market dynamics, significant regulatory developments and record deal flow.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) recently published its long-awaited decision paper on the Large Energy Users Connection Policy, marking a significant development for data centre developers and other major electricity users in Ireland.

Keep up to date with energy regulatory developments in Ireland in our March energy horizon scanner. Current developments include consultation on the RESS 4 auction...

The Commission approved a €2.6 billion Estonian scheme to support the construction and operation of offshore wind farms in areas determined by the Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (recast) has moved a step closer to enactment with the European Parliament formally adopting the revised directive on 12 March 2024.

2024 was another significant year for the energy sector in Ireland. We saw major legislative and regulatory changes, significant deal activity and the introduction of a variety of measures...

2025 was a significant year for the Irish energy sector. A new government introduced major legislative and regulatory changes.

In July 2021 the European Commission adopted Fit for 55 as part of the European Green Deal. It is a highly significant, cross-sectoral package detailing the binding actions by which it is proposed the EU will reduce ...

Hugh Cummins on South Dublin County Council District Heating Project.

It was great to see the Irish energy sector continue to grow from strength to strength in 2021, in spite of many challenges. We hope that this growth will continue in 2022 and onwards.

When Northern Ireland's Climate Change Act came onto the statute books in 2022, it was poised to be a recognised leader in the national drive for Net Zero on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The European Green Deal endeavours to reduce the European Union's net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, when compared to 1990 levels, and to make the Union climate neutral by 2050.

The European Commission approved a €350 million German scheme to boost renewable hydrogen production through the European Hydrogen Bank's "Auctions-as-a-Service" tool. Germany intends...

The European Commission approved a €2.2 billion German scheme to support investment in the decarbonisation of industrial production processes in Germany.