Power generation and industrial emissions decrease in 2023

Ireland decreased its emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies by more than 2.4 million tonnes of CO2 in 2023, compared to the previous year, a figure slightly ahead of the EU average for the period.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its preliminary analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 from the Emissions Trading System (ETS) sector late last week, showing emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies stood at 12.19 million tonnes of CO2. This compares with a decrease of approximately 15.5 per cent across Europe, according to data published by the EU Commission.

Ireland’s ETS sector delivered this decrease due to a combination of factors, including an increase in imports of electricity, the use of renewable electricity and renewable fuels, as well as a decrease in cement production.

The electricity sector used less coal generation compared to the previous year, with increased use of wind and solar powered electricity. This is the second year that a drop in emissions from Moneypoint is observed, but fossil-fired power stations continue to play a strong role in meeting a high electricity demand. Importation of electricity from other countries outside the EU will require a carbon price to be paid in the longer term under the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism unless there is a linking agreement with the ETS in the exporting country.

109 major industrial and electricity generation sites were required to report their emissions for 2023 by 31 March 2024 in the EU Emissions Trading System. These include sites operating in the power generation, cement, lime and oil refining sectors. Also included are large companies in sectors such as food & drink, pharmaceuticals and semi-conductors.

It was noted that cement industries recorded a six per cent decrease overall due to a drop in production. Emissions from the food and drink sector also showed a decrease in emissions of more than three per cent.

While emissions from bulk manufacturing of pharmaceuticals decreased by more than six per cent, emissions from manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations increased slightly, by almost three per cent.

Aviation emissions from flights within the European Economic Area reported to Ireland by 31 March increased by over nine per cent compared to 2022, to over 11 million tonnes. This is still lower than the pre-pandemic levels of 12.8 million tonnes, nevertheless, the emissions data for 2023 reflect the ongoing growth of traffic in this sector and the need to put a series of measures in place to reduce air traffic emissions.

Laura Burke, EPA director general said: “While Ireland is increasingly moving away from coal generation, we still rely heavily on fossil fuels to meet our electricity demand. Ireland must continue to put a priority on renewable generation infrastructure to deliver grid decarbonisation”.

Further information about Ireland’s overall greenhouse gas emissions is available on the EPA website (www.epa. ie).