Energy Policy

Answering questions of deputy Darren O’Rourke during the Energy debate, in the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann , on 20 February 2025, the Irish minsiter of Environment Climate and Communications, Alan Dillon, referred to the three primary strategic reasons for developing an indigenous hydrogen sector in Ireland are to decarbonise the economy, enhance energy security, and create industrial and export market opportunities.

There are 21 actions set out within the Irish National Hydrogen Strategy to enable the development of the hydrogen sector in Ireland. These actions aim to remove barriers to early hydrogen project developments and to enhance our knowledge through targeted research and innovation across the hydrogen value chain, laying the groundwork to deliver on our long-term strategic vision. These actions have varying timelines for completion by 2030 and work has started on a number of them. These include identifying the amount of surplus renewable energy that will be available for hydrogen production, putting in place the legal and regulatory framework for this new industry, and examining the feasibility of exporting hydrogen.

The minister mentioned that they are currently finalising a detailed implementation plan for the multi-year work programme set out in the strategy to ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place to support delivery of the actions set out within the strategy. Implementation will involve a number of Departments including the Department of Transport and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and other stakeholders. Careful planning and management structures are essential. Once completed, further clarity on the status of all actions set out within the strategy and the annual work programmes to deliver on these will be communicated. It is expected that the detailed implementation plan will be finalised in quarter 2 of 2025.