Regan Brown
Ireland's energy sources are mainly fossil fuels, with approximately 82% of its energy coming from oil and gas. The country's dependence on oil is one of the highest in the EU, with transport being the biggest consumer in the form of petrol, diesel, jet fuel, etc. In 2019, oil accounted for 72% of all energy imports, while gas imports accounted for 23%. Ireland's energy import dependency was 67% in 2018, decreasing from an average of 89% between 2001 and 2015. The estimated cost of all energy imports to Ireland in 2019 was approximately €4.5 billion, with the country spending about €1 million per hour on energy. The transition to renewable energy sources will require significant investment and time, but it can be affordable and worthwhile if managed correctly.
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What You'll Learn
Ireland's oil import dependency
Ireland has a high dependency on oil imports, with oil accounting for 45% of its primary energy needs. In 2019, oil accounted for 72% of all energy imports, and in 2024, oil and gas together made up roughly 82% of the country's energy sources. Ireland imports both crude, unrefined oil and finished petroleum products, with the majority arriving already refined as petrol, diesel, home heating oil, and aviation fuel. The country's oil imports mainly come from the United Kingdom, with some sources from Norway, North Africa, West Africa, the US, and Azerbaijan.
Ireland's oil dependency was the fourth highest in the EU in 2013, and it remains one of the highest in the European Union. The country's indigenous production of oil and gas has declined, making it increasingly dependent on imports. Ireland's energy import dependency was 67% in 2018, decreasing from an average of 89% between 2001 and 2015. In 2022, Ireland imported about 3% of its energy needs from Russia, but its actual dependence on Russian energy was greater due to refined products made from Russian crude oil.
The high dependence on oil imports leaves Ireland vulnerable to sudden changes in the energy supply and market. The country's transition away from fossil fuels will require significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind farms, solar farms, and electricity networks. The Irish government has taken steps to reduce import dependency by investing in renewable energy sources and setting a carbon tax on certain fossil fuels.
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Gas imports and indigenous production
Ireland's energy sources are comprised mainly of fossil fuels, with roughly 82% coming from oil and gas. The remainder is made up of wind energy and other renewable sources. In 2024, wind farms provided almost a third of Ireland's total electricity as the country continues its transition away from fossil fuels.
Ireland's indigenous fossil fuel resources are limited, and it has only recently begun to harness significant quantities of renewable energy. The country's energy import dependency was 67% in 2018, decreasing from an average of 89% between 2001 and 2015. In 2019, the estimated cost of all energy imports to Ireland was approximately €4.5 billion.
Ireland's oil dependency was the fourth highest in the EU in 2013, with 49% of all energy use derived from oil. All of Ireland's oil is imported, with sources becoming more variable in recent years, including significant imports from North and West Africa.
Ireland's natural gas supply currently comes from a combination of domestic production and imports via pipeline from Scotland. In 2019, 53% of Ireland's natural gas use was imported from the UK. The Corrib gas field off the west coast of Ireland supplies around 60% of the country's annual demand. However, production from this field is forecast to decline over the next decade, and alternative sources will be needed by 2030.
To enhance Ireland's security of gas supply, the development of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import terminal has been proposed, providing access to the global LNG market. Additionally, the government is working to increase domestic production of energy and reduce dependency on imports. The use of renewable sources of gas, such as biomethane and hydrogen, will play a key role in decarbonising the natural gas grid.
In summary, Ireland's gas supply is a mix of indigenous production and imports, with a growing focus on renewable energy sources to reduce import dependency and decarbonise the energy sector.
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Ireland's energy import vulnerability
Ireland's energy import dependency was estimated at 67% in 2018, a decrease from an average of 89% between 2001 and 2015. In 2024, it was reported that Ireland imported almost 82% of its energy, with the majority coming from fossil fuels, mainly oil and gas. This places Ireland among the top eight EU countries in terms of reliance on imported energy. The country's indigenous energy production has declined, particularly in oil and gas, making it increasingly dependent on imports to meet its energy needs. In 2019, oil accounted for 72% of all energy imports, with gas contributing 23%.
Ireland's high dependence on energy imports, especially fossil fuels, has several implications. Firstly, it makes the country vulnerable to fluctuations in the international energy market. When the international price of oil fell, for example, there was only a 25% decrease in prices at the pumps due to taxes and distribution charges. Secondly, it affects Ireland's energy security, as any disruption in the supply of imported energy can have significant consequences. For instance, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 impacted Ireland's energy supply and costs, despite only 3% of its energy being directly imported from Russia. This highlights the vulnerability of a country heavily reliant on energy imports, as Ireland's energy supply is influenced by global geopolitics and events beyond its borders.
Furthermore, Ireland's fossil fuel dependency has environmental implications. In 2019, energy consumption accounted for 59% of Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions. The country's high oil dependence, particularly for transport, contributes to these emissions. While there have been efforts to transition to renewable energy, with wind farms providing almost a third of Ireland's electricity in 2024, fossil fuels still dominate the energy mix.
To reduce its vulnerability, Ireland has implemented several measures. The government has invested in renewable energy infrastructure and set targets to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources. Additionally, the country introduced a carbon tax in 2010 to encourage a shift away from fossil fuels. However, the transition away from fossil fuels will require significant time and investment, and Ireland remains vulnerable to energy import disruptions and price fluctuations in the short to medium term.
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The cost of Ireland's energy imports
Ireland's energy import dependency was 67% in 2018, decreasing from an average of 89% between 2001 and 2015. In 2024, this figure was estimated to be 70%, with almost 82% of energy imports being fossil fuels. This heavy reliance on energy imports, particularly fossil fuels, makes Ireland vulnerable to changes in the energy market and supply disruptions.
Oil is a major component of Ireland's energy imports, with the country importing all of the oil it uses. In 2019, oil accounted for 72% of all energy imports, and in 2024, it was estimated that oil made up 45% of Ireland's primary energy needs. Ireland's oil imports come primarily from the United Kingdom, Norway, and sources in North and Central Africa.
Natural gas is another significant energy import for Ireland, with the country importing about 75% of its natural gas needs. The majority of this natural gas is imported from the UK through an underwater pipeline network originating in Scotland.
Ireland also imports small amounts of coal, with coal imports accounting for 2% of net imports in 2019. However, the country is transitioning away from coal, with a ban on 'smoky coal' in certain areas to improve air quality.
While Ireland has a high dependence on energy imports, the country is working to reduce this dependency. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, hydro, and biomass, are playing an increasingly important role in Ireland's energy mix. In 2024, renewables accounted for 32% of Ireland's energy supply, up from 1.6% at the start of the century. The Irish government has also set targets to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources, aiming for 80% in the climate action plan.
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Ireland's renewable energy imports
Ireland has a heavy dependence on energy imports, particularly oil and gas. In 2019, the country spent approximately €4.5 billion on energy imports, with oil accounting for 72% of this figure. Ireland's oil dependency was the fourth highest in the EU in 2013, and the country has no large fossil fuel reserves. As a result, Ireland imports almost 82% of its energy, making it vulnerable to changes in the energy market.
In recent years, Ireland has made efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and increase its use of renewable energy sources. The country has set targets for renewable energy production, aiming to produce 16% of its energy from renewables by 2020 and 32% by 2030. While Ireland did not meet its 2020 target, reaching only 13.5%significant progress in recent years. In 2024, renewable energy sources accounted for 59% of Ireland's primary energy production, with wind power being the main contributor.
Wind energy has played a crucial role in Ireland's transition to renewable energy. The country has over 300 wind farms, mostly onshore, and wind power capacity has been rapidly increasing. By the end of 2021, Ireland had 4,405 MW of installed wind power capacity, and this continued to grow, reaching 5,585 MW by 2024. In 2023, wind energy provided 35% of Ireland and Northern Ireland's electricity, a record-breaking achievement.
Biomass and renewable waste have also contributed significantly to Ireland's renewable energy mix. In 2023, biomass and renewable waste accounted for 19% of the country's renewable energy production. Additionally, solar energy has been gaining traction, with an increasing number of photovoltaic (PV) modules being installed on domestic roofs. By February 2024, Ireland had 1 GW of solar PV capacity connected to the grid.
While Ireland has made notable progress in adopting renewable energy sources, it still lags behind other EU countries in terms of renewable energy adoption. In 2022, renewable energy accounted for only 5.3% of Ireland's total final energy consumption, compared to an EU27 average of 12.2%. However, with continued investment in renewable energy infrastructure and a decrease in the country's dependence on fossil fuels, Ireland is on a path towards a more sustainable energy future.
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Frequently asked questions
Ireland spends about €1 million an hour on energy, with most of this money leaving the state. In 2019, the estimated cost of all energy imports to Ireland was approximately €4.5 billion. In 2021, the Irish government paid out over €2 billion in emergency electricity credits to households to offset soaring electricity prices.
Ireland imports crude oil, oil products such as petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and kerosene, and natural gas. Ireland's energy sources mainly consist of fossil fuels, with roughly 82% coming from oil and gas. Ireland also imports renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, landfill gas, biomass, and biogas.
Ireland imports a little over 70% of the energy it uses, well above the EU average of 58%. Ireland is one of the most fossil fuel-dependent economies in Europe and has one of the highest oil dependencies in the European Union. Only seven other EU countries out of 27 member states import more energy than Ireland.
