Energy-saving targets for energy suppliers

Country / jurisdiction: Ireland · Year: 2011 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

The programme of energy savings targets for energy suppliers is a central component of Irish energy efficiency policy, as well as of wider energy and climate policies. Following discussions between the Irish government and the energy industry, new energy savings targets were introduced for all energy suppliers on a three-year cycle, initially for 2011-13 with a new iteration to be decided for 2014-17.

The programme runs on a voluntary basis, with 19 energy suppliers spread across electricity, gas, solid fuels and oil importers currently signed up for voluntary energy savings agreements. Legislation underpinning these agreements allows the minister to impose energy savings targets on energy suppliers if they choose not to sign an energy savings agreement. Operation of the existing programme is delegated by the minister to the country national energy agency (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland [SEAI]), which maintains a list of approved measures and associated energy savings. The list currently comprises 26 measures with more added on request (from energy suppliers or third parties) by the SEAI. All new measures, and actions undertaken by energy suppliers, are subject to appropriate monitoring, verification and audit. Energy suppliers are required to submit an annual plan in advance of each operational year, setting out their programme of activity that will deliver their energy savings target. SEAI manages the operational aspects of programme delivery, including managing energy supplier performance. Trading is allowed in the event an energy supplier exceeds its energy savings target.