Ireland Power Market Size and Trends by Installed Capacity, Generation, Transmission, Distribution, and Technology, Regulations, Key Players and Forecast, 2021-2030
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This report discusses the power market structure of Ireland and provides historical and forecast numbers for capacity, generation, and consumption up to 2030. Detailed analysis of the country’s power market regulatory structure, competitive landscape, and a list of major power plants are provided. The report also gives a snapshot of the power sector in the country on broad parameters of macroeconomics, supply security, generation infrastructure, transmission and distribution infrastructure, electricity import and export scenario, degree of competition, regulatory scenario, and future potential. An analysis of the deals in the country’s power sector is also included in the report.
Ireland power market overview
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Thermal power generation share in Ireland to decline sharply by 2030
Thermal power generation held a dominant share of more than 55% in 2020 in Ireland’s annual generation. This share is expected to drop sharply by 2030. Ireland plans to phase out all its coal power plants by 2025 and gradually decommission numerous oil-fired plants by 2030 to reduce its GHG emissions and meet its carbon emission reduction targets. Gas capacity is expected to increase only marginally between 2021 and 2030. The phase out of coal power plants and the gradual decommissioning of oil-fired plants will be offset with a simultaneous and gradual increase in renewable power capacity. The country is converting its decommissioned coal-fired plants into renewable power projects. In April 2021, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) announced that it is planning to convert a 915 MW coal power plant in the country into a wind turbine construction hub, and a green hydrogen production facility.
How is Ireland’s power market structured?
The Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications is responsible for the delivery of policies and programs in several areas including the energy sector. The department ensures that all its policies are in line with EU and global obligations. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland’s independent energy and water regulator. The CRU was originally established as the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in 1999. The CER changed its name to the CRU in 2017 to better reflect the expanded powers and functions of the organization. CRU is responsible for adopting and enforcing rules related to retail competition, including customer protection and monitoring compliance with the Electricity Act and related statutes. It monitors compliance with renewable energy goals and is responsible for ensuring fair competition, as well as the unbundling and licensing of retail power providers and the registration of power generation companies, power marketers and aggregators.
Who are the key players in Ireland’s power market?
The power generation segment in Ireland is dominated by Electricity Supply Board (ESB), SSE Plc, and Energia Group Ltd. EirGrid is the sole electricity transmission network operator in Ireland. The transmission network is owned by the ESB, a statutory body that is majority-owned by the Irish Government. ESB and EirGrid regulate their relationship, in relation to the transmission system, by way of a contractual infrastructure agreement. The electricity distribution sector is owned by ESB and ESB Networks DAC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ESB, is the licensed operator of the distribution system. The major electricity supply companies in the country are Electric Ireland, Community Power, and Energia Group Ltd.
Ireland power market, by key companies
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Where are the opportunities in the Irish power market?
The phase out of coal power plants and the gradual decommissioning of numerous oil-fired plants in Ireland has opened massive opportunities for renewable power companies. The Irish Government is planning to fill the void created by the phase out of coal power with renewable power sources, particularly wind power and solar PV. The government has started several incentive programs and drafted policies to enable this transition from thermal power to renewable power. Domestic and international companies operating in the renewable equipment space may look at investing in Ireland in coming years to grab these opportunities.
What are the challenges faced by the Irish power market?
While the increasing renewable power capacity is a good sign for the Irish power sector, it comes with its own set of challenges. The share of renewable power generation in Ireland is expected to reach 90% in 2030. Most of this renewable power will come from onshore and offshore wind farms. This means that the power generation in the country could hamper due to low wind speeds, thereby endangering the supply security of the country. To overcome this challenge, the country will have to significantly invest in energy storage solutions.
How has COVID-19 affected Ireland’s power market?
Ireland was significantly impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the Irish Government imposed strict national lockdowns in the country. Majority of the sectors in the country were affected due to these lockdowns; however, tourism and hospitality sector was the most badly affected.
With respect to power sector, the electricity consumption in the country witnessed a slow growth in 2020 as compared to 2019. The electricity demand from industrial and commercial sectors slowed due to the closure of factories and other establishments during the national lockdowns. To offer relief to individuals, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) suspended domestic disconnections of electricity meters due to non-payment of electricity bills from 17th March 2020 to 19th April 2020.
Market report scope
Cumulative power capacity (Year – 2020) | 11.19 GW |
Base year for estimation | 2020 |
Market overview by | Capacity & generation, and transmission & distribution |
Forecast period | 2021–2030 |
Key companies | Electricity Supply Board (ESB), SSE Plc, and Energia Group Ltd. |
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the power market in Ireland and contains the following sections:
- The executive summary captures the key trends in the country’s power market.
- The “Ireland Power Market, Snapshot” section provides a snapshot of the key parameters that affect the country’s power sector, as well as key points about the country’s power market including opportunities, challenges, and the impact of COVID-19.
- The “Ireland Power Market, Market Analysis” section provides the market structure, generation market share, deals, and demand structure.
- The “Ireland Power Market, Regulatory Scenario” section details the regulations and policies in the country’s power sector.
- The “Ireland Power Market, Capacity and Generation” section provides information on cumulative installed capacity and annual generation trends, by individual generation source.
- The “Ireland Power Market, Transmission and Distribution Overview” section discusses the power T&D infrastructure, electricity import and export, and grid interconnections.
- The “Ireland Power Market, Major Generating Companies” section discusses the major electricity generating companies in the country.
Reasons to Buy
- Identify opportunities and plan strategies by having a strong understanding of the investment opportunities in the country’s power sector
- Identify key factors driving investment opportunities in the country’s power sector
- Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data
- Develop strategies based on the latest regulatory events
- Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industry’s growth potential
- Identify key partners and business development avenues
- Identify key strengths and weaknesses of important market participants
- Respond to your competitors’ business structure, strategy, and prospects
Table of Contents
Table
Figures
Frequently asked questions
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What is Ireland’s total cumulative power capacity?
Ireland’s total cumulative power capacity in 2020 was 11.19 GW.
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Who are the major power generation companies in Ireland’s power market?
The power generation segment in Ireland is dominated by Electricity Supply Board (ESB), SSE Plc, and Energia Group Ltd.
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What is the leading source of power capacity in Ireland?
Thermal power was the dominant source of power in 2020, accounting for more than 55% of total installed capacity.
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Who regulated Ireland’s energy policy?
The Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications is responsible for the delivery of policies and programs in several areas including the energy sector.
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What is the annual power consumption in Ireland?
Power consumption increased from 20.3 TWh in 2000 to 28.7 TWh in 2020, growing at a CAGR of more than 1%.
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What sector is the leading driver of Ireland’s power consumption?
In 2020, industrial sector had the dominant share in power consumption accounting for more than 35%.
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Who owns and operates Ireland’s transmission network?
EirGrid is the sole electricity transmission network operator in Ireland.
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