Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
4. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress has been made towards the Climate Action Plan target of delivering up to 2.7TWh of district heating by 2030; and the current projected level of district heating demand that will be met by that date. [69328/26]
View answerNational policy in Ireland has recognised the contribution that district heating can make to Ireland’s energy and climate goals and is underpinned by the findings of the SEAI’s National Heat Study 2022.
The deployment of district heating at scale is a key Government objective under the Climate Action Plan and a component of meeting the built environment sectoral emissions ceiling. The Climate Action Plan 23 committed to implementing the recommendations of the Steering Group Report and to reach a district heating delivery target of up to 2.7TWh by 2030.
The future potential for district heating has been updated in the 2025 Comprehensive Heating and Cooling Assessment. This analysis identified the potential for approximately 4.6 TWh of heat in Ireland to be cost-effectively delivered by district heating, compared to alternative renewable heat sources.
Although district heating, as a sector in Ireland, is in its infancy, progress is being made. The first efficient district heating project operational in Ireland is in Tallaght. It was developed by South Dublin County Council and supported through the Climate Action Fund. Phase 2 of this project is now being planned and evaluated by South Dublin County Council.
Dublin City Council have also been progressing the Dublin District Heating Project which will use waste heat from the Dublin Waste to Energy Facility in Poolbeg to heat public sector, commercial and residential buildings in the adjacent area.
Funding to support the development of efficient district heating has been allocated through the Climate Action Fund and the Infrastructure Climate and Nature Fund, while Local Authorities can avail of Pathfinder funding for feasibility studies. In tandem, my Department is working on the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to introduce a regulatory framework for district heating.
