Ireland is greener than ever

This week I am in Ireland, at the opening of the new facilities of our Irish partner, one of the first companies I started working with and whose enormous success I am delighted with. For this reason, as I have done on other occasions, we are entering the heat pump market in Ireland. Transitioning to cleaner heating solutions, such as heat pumps, is a key part of Ireland’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet its climate targets. Central to this effort is the role of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) , which provides significant financial incentives and guidance to encourage the adoption of heat pumps.

Heat Pumps: A Growing Market in Ireland

The Irish government has recognized the potential of heat pumps to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. In 2021, the Climate Action Plan set ambitious goals to install heat pumps into 45,000 existing and 170,000 new dwellings by 2025, up to 400,000 existing and 280,000 new dwellings by 2030.

Also, the BER database, notes the number of heat pump-ready homes, defined as homes with a heat loss indicator of 2.0 W/K/m2. In the next table, you can see how it is distributed on the BER Database.

This has meant that Ireland is one of the countries that has not only not suffered the general decline in the heat pump market but has seen a significant increase compared to the previous year.

The role of the SEAI

SEAI is at the forefront of Ireland’s renewable energy transition, not only providing financial incentives but also leading educational efforts and offering technical support. The agency plays a critical role in helping Ireland meet its climate targets by promoting the adoption of renewable heating technologies, such as heat pumps.

• Education and Awareness: SEAI regularly runs campaigns to raise public awareness about the environmental and financial benefits of heat pumps. These initiatives include public seminars, online resources, and partnerships with local authorities to ensure that consumers understand the long-term cost savings and sustainability of heat pumps.
• Technical Expertise: SEAI also offers technical support and training for installers and contractors, ensuring that heat pumps are installed to the highest standards. This is vital in maintaining the efficiency and reliability of heat pumps, especially in older homes that require additional retrofitting.
• Advising on Policy: In addition to its consumer-facing role, SEAI works closely with the Irish government to advise on energy policy and strategies for meeting national climate goals. SEAI’s input is critical in shaping policies that promote renewable energy technologies and reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.

A unique country in many respects

SEAI is at the forefront of Ireland’s renewable energy transition, not only providing financial incentives but also leading educational efforts and offering technical support. The agency plays a critical role in helping Ireland meet its climate targets by promoting the adoption of renewable heating technologies, such as heat pumps.

In terms of heat pumps, it is a country where I have been working for several years, without being one of the main markets, it is a place where they are working very well. From the SEAI, where they do a spectacular job in the regulation, training and dissemination of heat pump technology.

There are also very professional companies in the sector, installations made in schools, distilleries and hotels as examples. For this reason, in this generalized fall, Ireland is still working, because Ireland is greener than ever.