● THIS WEEK
Emissions fall to a 30-year low as 13% of wind and solar goes unused
Energy-related emissions fell 3.6% in 2025 to a 30-year low while net energy use reached its highest level since 2008, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) reported on 22 October. EirGrid's Winter Outlook, welcomed on 20 October, counted 63 MW of new batteries and 809 MW of new wind and solar for this winter, and industry figures showed more than 13% of the wind and solar output available in the first nine months of 2026 could not be used.
Biomethane policy moved in Belfast and Brussels, with Northern Ireland opening its strategy consultation and the European Commission proposing more flexible spreading rules for some liquid digestates. The date to carry is 5pm this Friday, 30 October, when expressions of interest for the €200m Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme close.
Philip Connolly, EnergyView
01 Stat of the week
LOSS OF LOAD EXPECTATION · EIRGRID
0.8 hours
Expected hours this winter when generation falls short of demand on EirGrid's central case, down from 1.1 hours last winter and 21 hours in winter 2023/24, against a 3-hour standard.
Source · EirGrid, Winter Outlook 2026/27, welcomed by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) on 20 October 2026
02 Energy news · Top story + 7
● TOP STORY · ENERGY DATA
SEAI puts energy emissions at a 30-year low as demand hits a 2008 high
Ireland's energy-related emissions fell 3.6% in 2025 to their lowest level in 30 years, SEAI said in its Energy in Ireland 2026 report on 22 October, with provisional data pointing to a further fall of around 5% in the first half of 2026. Net energy consumption rose 0.6% to its highest level since 2008, led by transport and commercial services, where data centre electricity use was the main driver. The overall renewable energy share reached 17.3% against a 2025 milestone of 27.6%, and Ireland remains almost 80% reliant on fossil fuels and imported energy. SEAI's National Energy Projections 2026 put demand 10% higher by 2030 on current policies, against the 15% reduction needed to meet EU commitments.
22 October 2026 · Source · SEAI
● ENERGYVIEW ANALYSIS
Heat is where the next cut comes from
Electricity generation delivered more than half of the 35% fall in energy-related emissions since their 2005 peak. The next share has to come from heat and transport, and fossil fuels still met 89.8% of heat demand in 2024 on SEAI's figures. Two instruments in this issue bear directly on heat. The Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) places the demand on suppliers of heating fuels, and the €200m capital scheme, whose expressions of interest close on Friday, shapes the first wave of Irish biomethane supply. What to watch is publication of the RHO Bill and the heat measures among the 18 priorities in the next Climate Action Plan.
EnergyView analysis of SEAI Energy in Ireland data, October 2026
● BIOMETHANE · NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland opens its biomethane framework to consultation
The Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) opened a joint consultation on a Biomethane Strategy and Policy Framework for Northern Ireland on 20 October, closing at 5pm on 15 December. The paper treats biomethane as part of a wider strategy covering energy security, farm resilience, nutrient management and decarbonisation, and says future support must deliver wider environmental benefits. A separate DfE request for information on the business case opened on 22 October and closes on 19 November, and DfE is considering residual Annually Managed Expenditure from the former non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive to fund support. In the Republic, expressions of interest for the €200m Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme close this Friday.
20 and 22 October 2026 · Source · Arthur Cox, Planning Geek, Irish Farmers Journal
● BIOMETHANE · EU
Brussels proposes more room for liquid digestate
The European Commission put forward a draft amendment to the Nitrates Directive on 16 October that would let Member States allow certain liquid digestates from livestock manure to be applied above the 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare limit for manure, where they meet the RENURE (recovered nitrogen from manure) criteria adopted in March. Feedback is open until 13 November, after which the draft needs a qualified majority in the Nitrates Committee and a three-month scrutiny period in the European Parliament and Council. The Commission ties the change to lower fertiliser imports and to the role of biogas and biomethane in EU energy security. For Irish anaerobic digestion plants running on manure, qualifying liquid digestate could be spread above today's manure limit if Ireland opts in.
16 and 19 October 2026 · Source · European Commission, Agriland, Brussels Times
● GRID · WINTER
EirGrid finds a 1,003 MW margin for winter
EirGrid's Winter Outlook 2026/27, welcomed by Minister Darragh O'Brien on 20 October, puts the minimum de-rated margin this winter at 1,003 MW, or 15.5%, with median peak demand forecast at 6,101 MW against last winter's peak of 5,916 MW on 5 January. New capacity in the assessment includes 275 MW of gas-fired peaking plant, which DCEE expects at Castlelost, Co. Westmeath, plus 63 MW of batteries delivered through the Capacity Market and 809 MW of wind and solar connected during the year. The outlook runs from 2 November to 4 April and flags March as the tightest period, when units begin annual maintenance.
20 October 2026 · Source · EirGrid, DCEE
● STORAGE · RENEWABLES
More than 13% of wind and solar output went unused
More than 13% of the wind and solar electricity available in the Republic of Ireland in the first nine months of 2026 could not be used, according to EirGrid figures cited by the renewable industry on 21 October, enough to power about 496,000 homes on Wind Energy Ireland's estimate. Wind and solar supplied about 42% of electricity in September, according to Solar Ireland, and connected solar capacity now exceeds 3 GW. Energy Storage Ireland asked Government to remove costs and barriers delaying battery projects, saying batteries paired with renewables make better use of existing grid connections. The figures opened the first Renewable Energy Expo, run jointly by Wind Energy Ireland, Solar Ireland and Energy Storage Ireland at the RDS on 21 and 22 October.
21 October 2026 · Source · RTÉ, Wind Energy Ireland, Solar Ireland, Energy Storage Ireland
● EVS · EU
EU battery-electric share hits 22.7% with Ireland ahead at 27.4%
Battery-electric cars took 22.7% of new EU car registrations in January to September, up from 16.1% a year earlier, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) reported on 22 October, with 290,117 registered in September alone, up 72.9%. Petrol fell to 21.2% of the market, behind both hybrid and battery-electric. In Ireland, battery-electric cars led the new car market over the same nine months at 27.43%, with 35,195 registered, up 57.3%, on Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) figures. The Finance (No. 2) Bill 2026, published on 19 October, extends Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) relief of up to €5,000 on electric cars to the end of 2028.
22 October 2026 · Source · ACEA, SIMI, Department of Finance
● POLICY · CLIMATE
Next Climate Action Plan heads to Cabinet with 18 priorities
The next Climate Action Plan, covering 2026 and 2027, is expected at Cabinet in the coming weeks and before Minister Darragh O'Brien travels to COP31 in November, the Irish Examiner reported on 26 October. Its 18 climate priorities include expanding and upgrading the grid, increasing storage capacity, more onshore wind and solar, and simpler access to climate grants across State agencies. It will also call for more renewable fuels in transport and lower-carbon cement and concrete through public procurement, with a progress report due during the plan's lifetime.
26 October 2026 · Source · Irish Examiner
● PLANNING · POLICY
Planning Act commencement paused by work-to-rule
Further commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024 has been paused by the work-to-rule among local authority staff, the Irish Examiner reported on 26 October, with 24 parts of the Act still to come into force. The Department of Housing said the pause is due to circumstances beyond its control and that it will set a new commencement date as soon as possible, keeping planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála ready in the meantime. The Act brings mandatory timelines for planning decisions and judicial review reform, both of which apply to renewable and grid consents. Fórsa members in local authorities have been told to withdraw cooperation from restructuring and new work practices while public sector pay talks continue at the Workplace Relations Commission.
26 October 2026 · Source · Irish Examiner
Also worth knowing
● The Finance (No. 2) Bill 2026, published on 19 October, raises the tax exemption on microgeneration export income from €400 to €600 a year and holds the carbon tax on kerosene and natural gas at €48.50 a tonne, with the auto fuel increase deferred to 1 May 2027. · Department of Finance
● Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI) set three immediate priorities at a meeting in Dublin on 19 October, led by finalising the RHO and resourcing its implementation with clear responsibility, milestones and a route to the 2030 target. · Agriland
● Energia, owned by Ardian since June, has dropped plans for its offshore wind farms in Irish waters to focus on its onshore pipeline, the Irish Independent reported on 21 October. · Irish Independent
03 Open consultations · 7 open, 2 close this week
30 OCTOBER · FRIDAY · 5PM · 3 DAYS LEFT
DCEE · Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme expression of interest
Project details from prospective developers of new biomethane plants and biogas upgrades will shape the first funding call under the €200m scheme. Developers with anaerobic digestion projects in development should respond this week.
Expression of interest · Open · Submit at gov.ie
30 OCTOBER · FRIDAY · 6PM · 3 DAYS LEFT
CRU · Changes to the Supplier Handbook 2026
Proposed changes to the rulebook that sets suppliers' minimum service standards and customer protections. Suppliers and consumer advocacy bodies should respond.
Retail · Open · consult.cru.ie
13 NOVEMBER · FRIDAY · 11PM IRISH TIME · 17 DAYS LEFT
European Commission · Nitrates Directive amendment on liquid digestates
Draft act extending RENURE treatment to certain liquid digestates from livestock manure. Anaerobic digestion developers and farm organisations should respond, since spreading rules shape digestate costs.
EU · Open · Have your say portal
19 NOVEMBER · THURSDAY · 6.30PM · 23 DAYS LEFT
CRU · Electricity Network Tariff Structure Review, Phase 1
The objectives, principles, scope and high-level design considerations for how electricity network tariffs are structured. Large energy users, storage and generation developers and suppliers should respond, as later phases build on these choices.
Networks · Open · consult.cru.ie
20 NOVEMBER · FRIDAY · 5PM · 24 DAYS LEFT
CRU · EirGrid's Draft Transmission Development Plan 2026 to 2035
The plan sets out the transmission projects and contracted connections EirGrid will progress over the decade, so developers with grid-dependent projects and large energy users should check their nodes and respond.
Transmission · Open · consult.cru.ie
14 DECEMBER · MONDAY · 48 DAYS LEFT
European Commission · Minimum performance standards for data centres
Call for evidence and public consultation on EU-wide standards that build on the new rating scheme. Operators and developers with Irish sites, and heat network promoters, should respond.
EU · Open · Carried from No. 020
15 DECEMBER · TUESDAY · 5PM · 49 DAYS LEFT
DfE and DAERA · Biomethane Strategy and Policy Framework for Northern Ireland
Support design, feedstock and nutrient management for a Northern Ireland biomethane sector. Developers and farm bodies with all-island interests should respond, and anyone with project numbers should also answer the separate DfE request for information, which closes on 19 November.
Northern Ireland · Open · economy-ni.gov.uk
Also open. DCEE on the wholesale gas provisions of Directive (EU) 2024/1788, opened 30 July with no closing date published.
04 Conferences & webinars
29 OCTOBER · THURSDAY
EU Energy Council
The first formal Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) under Ireland's EU Council Presidency. Ministers reconvene in Brussels on 10 December to close the Presidency's energy work.
Luxembourg · consilium.europa.eu
7 NOVEMBER · SATURDAY
Nevo Electric Vehicle Show 2026
RDS Simmonscourt. Runs 7 and 8 November.
Two days · Dublin · nevo.ie
18 NOVEMBER · WEDNESDAY
H2 Summit 2026
Hydrogen Ireland and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership at Fota Island Resort, Cork. Runs 18 and 19 November, with optional site visits on the morning of 18 November.
Two days · Cork · hydrogenireland.org
24 NOVEMBER · TUESDAY
National Retrofitting Conference 2026
Johnstown Estate, Co. Meath. Run in partnership with SEAI, now in its sixth year.
One day · Meath · Details at engineersireland.ie
10 DECEMBER · THURSDAY
Irish Renewable Gas Conference 2026
Croke Park, Dublin. Framed around the 5.7 TWh biomethane target for 2030 and the anaerobic digestion build-out it requires.
One day · Dublin · Details at engineersireland.ie
Hold the dates. COP31 in Antalya, 9 to 20 November, with Ireland leading EU negotiations as Presidency holder.
Three days remain to put Irish biomethane projects in front of DCEE. The pipeline it sees on Friday shapes the first €200m call.
Philip Connolly
Editor · EnergyView