Ireland's discharge of climate-changing carbon dioxide has begun to grow faster than our energy use, a development not seen since 2001. Our energy consumption has also increased in most sectors, particularly transport, according to the latest figures.
The State's carbon dioxide discharge levels and energy demand for 2005 are detailed in a report released yesterday by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI).
It shows that while energy use here increased by 3 per cent in 2005, our energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) discharges increased by 3.2 per cent.
This signalled a "re-coupling" of energy and CO2 emissions, the first time this has been seen for several years, according to SEI chief executive David Taylor. "That is an unwelcome development," he said.
The report provides a look back from 2005 through to 1990 but with a particular focus on the 2005 figures, he said. It indicates that energy-related CO2 emissions in 2005 were 53 per cent higher than 1990 levels, the highest level since 2001.
The report shows that demand for electricity and transport fuels has increased but so too has the level of energy supplied by renewables, particularly wind energy.
It indicated that the recoupling of energy use and CO2 discharges had been caused by several factors including a 73 per cent increase in peat consumption for electricity production, matched by a 9 per cent reduction in gas consumption for electricity generation and a 5.6 per cent increase in electricity use. The total CO2 discharged comes from a range of sources, including agriculture and industry. About 64 per cent of the total comes from the consumption of energy for heat, transport and power.
Asked about the renewed link between energy and CO2 growth, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey said the figures were not unexpected.
"Peat has had a major impact on that, the two new peat stations. That was recognised as a factor when deciding we should go ahead with them," he said.
There was a constant "juggling act" between security of supply, cost and impact on the environment. He added, however, that if we did not decouple energy use and CO2 discharges, it would make it increasingly difficult over time to achieve Kyoto targets.
Mr Taylor echoed this view, arguing yesterday that energy efficiency measures and renewable energy targets in the Government's energy Green Paper should be considered the "minimum" needed if we are to meet our Kyoto commitments.
"In the long term, energy has to be affordable, available and have an appropriate impact on the environment. The targets pursued in the Green Paper are the minimum required even though they look ambitious," Mr Taylor said.
The report predicted energy consumption would increase by 30 per cent through 2020.
Renewable electricity generation rose to 6.8 per cent of electricity consumption in 2005, up from 5.2 per cent in 2004.
The fact that greenhouse gas emissions were again increasing faster than our use of energy was a "damning indictment of Government policy", Green Party energy spokesman Eamon Ryan said in a statement. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions at 3.2 per cent grew faster than the increase in energy use at 3 per cent
Sustainable Energy Ireland report 2005: main points
Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions during 2005 were 53 per cent higher than 1990 levels, the highest level since 2001
Transport energy growth was 8.2 per cent, almost 3 per cent above economic growth
Electricity consumption grew by 5.6 per cent
Electricity imports increased by 30 per cent
Peat consumption increased by 35 per cent
Renewable electricity generation reached 6.8 per cent of total consumption, up from 5.2 per cent the previous year
Wind electricity generation saw a growth of 70 per cent
Energy import dependency was 90 per cent