Government urged to 'move rapidly' to increase supports for district heating in Budget

More than one third of Ireland’s energy use goes to heat, but about 90% of heat is generated using fossil fuels, with most fuel imported. The Irish District Energy Association urges increased Budget supports for district heating to reduce vulnerability to fuel price spikes and supply interruptions highlighted by conflicts. District heating distributes heat from Irish sources such as renewable energy and waste heat from data centres to homes and businesses. The Tallaght District Heating Scheme uses 100% waste heat from a nearby Amazon data centre. District heating already heats millions across Europe and is estimated to save a standard Irish family €632 annually. The Government’s house-building programme is described as an opportunity to ensure new homes receive clean, secure, low-cost heat before construction begins.

"The Irish District Energy Association (IrDEA) has urged the Government to increase supports for district heating in this year's Budget. More than one third of all energy used in the country is used to generate heat, however around 90pc of this is still generated using fossil fuels, with 80pc of these imported from outside the country. The organisation said recent war in Iran has highlighted how vulnerable this leaves Ireland to sudden spikes in fuel prices and interruptions in supply."

"District heating uses energy from sources within Ireland, such as renewable energy or waste heat from data centres, to distribute heat to homes and businesses. An example of its use in the country includes the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, which uses 100pc waste heat from the nearby Amazon data centre. It is already used to heat the homes of 80 million people across Europe and is estimated to offer annual savings of €632 for a standard Irish family."

"IrDEA chief executive, Pauline O'Reilly, said that the Government's house building programme provides a "golden opportunity" to ensure new homes can benefit from the "clean, secure, and low-cost heat it provides". "But to do so, the Government needs to put the correct supports in place before these homes are built," she said. "The wars in Ukraine and Iran have delivered clear warnings that fossil fuels can no longer be relied on as a secure and low-cost form of heating for our homes.""

Read at Irish Independent