Irish Energy Policy

The National Policy team

The National Policy team monitors Irish policy, legislative, regulatory and market developments and assesses their implications for the energy sector and Gas Networks Ireland. It develops policy positions and engages early in national processes to ensure gas infrastructure, renewable gases and emerging technologies are recognised in Ireland’s transition to a secure, net-zero energy system.

The team works across climate action, energy security, biomethane, renewable heat, hydrogen, transport, network development and energy demand. Through policy analysis, consultation responses and engagement with Government, regulators, national associations and colleagues across Gas Networks Ireland, it advocates for a coherent framework that supports decarbonisation, safeguards security of supply and enables the gas network to evolve with Ireland’s long-term energy needs.

Gas Networks Ireland’s strategic priorities

Gas Networks Ireland’s national policy priorities focus on enabling renewable gases, strengthening energy security and resilience, supporting investment and providing clear pathways to decarbonise heat, industry and transport. Our key priorities are:

• Biomethane and renewable heat: 
  • Expedite the introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation, which incentivises the development of the Irish biomethane industry, as a priority. 
  • Establish a cross-departmental working group to identify additional support mechanisms to enable the biomethane industry to help to achieve the 5.7TWh government target. 
  • Government policy on decarbonisation of heat should be based on the least cost solution for customers and include all technologies that reduce emissions.
• Energy security and resilience: 
  • Simplification and delivery by key statutory agencies of consenting processes within minimum requisite statutory timeframes to expedite delivery of the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve project to enhance security of supply for the country.
  • Gas Network Ireland to help shape national resilience and security plans, with appropriate funding, to enhance physical and cyber security capability given our expertise managing a critical asset.
• Hydrogen:
  • Prioritise delivery of the Hydrogen Implementation Plan and the timely delivery of Offshore Wind in line with government targets. 
  • Accelerate transposition of the EU Gas and Hydrogen Package to enable the hydrogen industry to develop.
  • Formal designation of Gas Networks Ireland as Hydrogen Network Operator for Ireland to support the development of a national hydrogen network.
• Industry and FDI: 
  • Delivery of a clear pathway for LEU gas connections, through updated government policy, including the introduction of a pathway to renewables, to support decarbonisation. 
  • Introduction of an Interruptible Gas Capacity Product to maintain gas security of supply while supporting continued Foreign Direct Investment.

National Biomethane Strategy

Published in May 2024, the National Biomethane Strategy sets a roadmap to produce up to 5.7 TWh annually by 2030. Its 25 actions address sustainability, demand, the bioeconomy, project economics and enabling policy.

Biomethane will support the decarbonisation of high-temperature heat and other hard-to-electrify uses, while contributing to energy security and rural development. Key measures include capital grants and the proposed Renewable Heat Obligation.

Gas Networks Ireland’s €32 million Central Grid Injection facility at Mitchelstown, opened in October 2026, provides network access for producers unable to connect directly. At full capacity, it could inject up to 700 GWh annually, around 12% of the national target.

Renewable Heat Obligation

The Renewable Heat Obligation will require heating-fuel suppliers to demonstrate that a specified share of their supply is renewable. It is intended to increase renewable heat, reduce emissions and create sustained demand for indigenous renewable fuels, particularly biomethane.

Government approved the Heads of Bill in July 2025, and the Bill is listed for priority publication in the Autumn 2026 Legislation Programme. The legislation and supporting arrangements will define obligation rates, eligible fuels, certification and administration.

Together with capital supports, the RHO is expected to provide the demand and revenue certainty needed to advance biomethane projects and associated investment in production, feedstock, grid connections and shared infrastructure.

National Hydrogen Strategy

Published in July 2023, the National Hydrogen Strategy positions green hydrogen as a targeted solution for hard-to-abate uses, strengthen energy security and industrial development. It covers production, demand, infrastructure, safety, regulation, skills and markets.

Priority uses include flexible power generation, long-duration storage, high-temperature industry and renewable fuels for aviation and maritime transport, where direct electrification is not feasible or cost-effective. Longer-term infrastructure may connect production clusters, storage and repurposed gas-network assets.

Implementation is overseen through the National Hydrogen Programme and Taskforce, coordinating government, industry and research activity.

Energy Security in Ireland to 2030

The Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 strategy contains 28 actions on responsive demand, a renewables-led system, resilient infrastructure and risk governance. Delivery is overseen by the Government’s Energy Security Group.

Long-term security will rely on indigenous renewables, efficiency, interconnection, storage, flexibility and renewable gases. During the transition, the gas network will continue to support power generation, industry and system resilience, while preparing for biomethane, hydrogen and renewable-gas-compatible storage.

Under Action 17, Government approved a State-led Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve in March 2025. Gas Networks Ireland will own and operate the floating storage and regasification unit on behalf of the State for emergency use only. In November 2025, we selected Cahiracon, County Clare, selected as the preferred location in November 2025.

The Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Act 2026, signed into law in July 2026, provides the project-specific consenting process, including environmental impact and appropriate assessment requirements.

Large Energy User Action Plan

Published in January 2026, the Large Energy User Action Plan sets out 17 actions to support future investment in energy-intensive sectors while aligning growth with renewable energy, energy security and infrastructure delivery. It promotes a plan-led approach, including co-locating major energy users with renewable generation in green energy parks and enabling pathways to renewable gases, alongside greater regulatory certainty and coordination across energy, enterprise and spatial planning.

Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2023-2025

The Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2023–2025 provides for rising Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation rates towards 2030, EU sustainability compliance and greater certainty for suppliers and producers. Biomethane is recognised as a lower-emissions option for difficult-to-electrify heavy transport, alongside advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin.

Programme for Government 2025

The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, reaffirms the 2030 emissions target and climate neutrality by 2050. It prioritises focused Climate Action Plans, renewable energy, grid investment, energy efficiency and security of supply, alongside biomethane, green hydrogen and alternative fuels for heavy transport.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021

The 2021 Act provides the statutory framework for a climate-neutral economy by 2050. It places the 51% emissions-reduction target for 2030 on a legal footing and requires delivery through carbon budgets, sectoral emissions ceilings and annual Climate Action Plans.

Carbon budgets

The first carbon budget programme covers 2021–2025, 2026–2030 and 2031–2035. The first two budgets set economy-wide limits of 295 MtCO2e and 200 MtCO2e, requiring a significant acceleration in emissions reductions during the second period.

Sectoral Emissions Ceilings

Sectoral ceilings allocate carbon budgets across electricity, transport, buildings, industry, agriculture and other sectors. The 2022 ceilings require 2030 reductions ranging from 25% in agriculture to 75% in electricity, relative to 2018.

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan

The Climate Action Plan is the annual roadmap for delivering carbon budgets and sectoral ceilings. Climate Action Plan 2025 focuses on high-impact measures, including faster renewable electricity and grid delivery, energy security, efficiency, electrification, hydrogen, renewable heat and biomethane.

National Energy and Climate Plan 2021–2030

Ireland’s updated National Energy and Climate Plan, submitted in July 2024, brings national policies, measures and projections into a single EU framework. It draws together the Climate Action Plan, National Development Plan and related strategies to demonstrate progress towards Ireland’s 2030 EU obligations.

Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction

Ireland’s updated 2024 Long-term Strategy extends the outlook beyond 2030 towards climate neutrality by 2050. It links near-term plans and carbon budgets with the long-term sectoral transformation, infrastructure, investment and innovation required across the economy.

Contact us

National Policy: policy@gasnetworks.ie