Energy security must not be overlooked in government negotiations

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, today called on party leaders to commit to a comprehensive review of Ireland’s energy security needs as it transitions away from fossil fuels. 
 
Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: “The move to a low carbon economy is not optional. It is critical to our future wellbeing and long term competitiveness. But the transition must also be practical and evidence-based. Four-fifths of Ibec members surveyed recently expressed concern about the possibility of a pre-emptive decision to rule out future investment in specific energy technologies such as natural gas, in advance of understanding the implications for energy supply security.
 
"Specifically, as a society we need to better understand the role of natural gas in the transition. Gas met 78% of Ireland's power needs during the first two weeks of May. It remains the only option for many of our largest industries and nobody has yet presented a viable future energy scenario for Ireland without natural gas. These issues need to be examined closely and policy must be based on evidence alone.”