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The major annual conference for the Irish renewable energy sector
Renewable energy is central to the Government’s climate action ambitions. The current Programme for Government has set out specific targets and actions and renewable energy is also central to the Climate Action Plan 2021. Ireland’s renewable energy ambition includes the following actions by 2030:
✓ 80% electricity from renewable sources
✓ Develop at least 500MW of renewables through local community-based projects
✓ Bring onstream 8GW onshore and 5GW of offshore wind energy
✓ Deliver 1.5-2.5GW solar PV
✓ Install 600,000 heat pumps in residential buildings
✓ Deploy zero-carbon heating in 50,000 commercial buildings
✓ Increase the fleet of EVs and LEVs on the road to 945,000
✓ Raise the blend of biofuels to B20 in diesel and E10 in petrol
In order to achieve the ambition set out in CAP21 there will be the need to develop a range of renewables, and supporting technologies including solar, bioenergy, green hydrogen, interconnectors and storage. It will also entail using renewable sources across electricity, heat and transport and this will be reflected in the summit programme.
The Renewable Energy Summit will provide a valuable opportunity to bring together the key stakeholders from across the energy sector, and those who interact with the energy sector to discuss how the contribution from renewable energy can be maximised and implemented most effectively. The objective is to create a genuine in-depth understanding of the alternative paths open to Ireland in increasing the contribution from renewable energy.
"Ireland remains heavily reliant on fossil fuel. We must radically reduce this dependence and make the transition to cleaner, indigenous renewable energy. Increased renewable energy will insulate Ireland from the volatility of international gas and carbon prices, which are near an all-time high."
Minister Eamon Ryan, TD
Chair’s welcome and introduction
David Kelly
Director of Customer and Business Development, Gas Networks Ireland
MINISTERIAL ADDRESS Renewable energy: Delivering Ireland’s climate ambition Eamon Ryan, TD Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications
The role of renewable energy in decarbonising Europe’s economy Catharina Sikow-Magny, Director, Green Transition and Energy System Integration European Commission
Meeting the challenge of decarbonising Ireland’s home and business heating William Walsh, Chief Executive Officer Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
Achieving Ireland’s offshore wind ambition Maria Ryan, Director of Development SSE Renewables
Question & answer session • Panel discussion
Comfort break
Future electricity grid and integration of renewables Peter Lantry, Country Managing Director, Ireland and Global Data Centre Lead Hitachi Energy
Energy regulatory outlook: Decarbonising and securing Ireland’s energy supply Jim Gannon, Commissioner Commission for Regulation of Utilities
Decarbonising the gas network: Renewable gas and green hydrogen David Kelly, Director of Customer and Business Development Gas Networks Ireland
Power-to-X and renewable energy storage Dr James Carton, Assistant Professor in Energy Sustainability and Hydrogen Dublin City University
Question & answer session • Panel discussion
Lunch break
Chair: Margie McCarthy Director of Research and Policy Insights, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
Fit for 55; fast-tracking public renewable energy projects Seán Kelly MEP
Offshore wind projects: Engaging communities Dr Claire Haggett, Senior Lecturer Edinburgh University
Flexibility: The enabler for a renewable energy future Carolina Vereda Gorgé, Regulation Expert Endesa
Panel discussion Flexibility and achieving 80% renewable electricity by 2030
Question & answer session • Panel discussion
Chair's concluding remarks and conference close
We look forward to welcoming delegates to Croke Park, Dublin for the full conference and networking experience. Your safety will remain our highest priority with all necessary social distancing and hygiene measures in place. Please see Croke Park’s Safe Events Policy here: crokepark.ie/meetings-events/safe-events.
If you can't join us in person, delegates can watch the event from the comfort of their own home or office. Virtual attendance will be easily facilitated by our online conference platform and dedicated technical team.