Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
19. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of additional renewable liquid fuel supply that will be needed within the market to meet any additional demand caused by the upcoming renewable heating obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13162/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland has a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system. The reliance of our heating sector on fossil fuels is a significant contributor to Ireland’s high energy import dependency and carbon emissions. The introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key objective for me, as Minister, to address these challenges.
As part of the RHO design process, my Department has carried out extensive analysis and stakeholder engagement activities, including with renewable energy suppliers, to ensure final decisions taken in relation to the scheme are evidence-based and supportive of its successful introduction.
As part of this analysis, the level of fossil fuel currently supplied for heating purposes, and the availability of renewable fuels to meet initial RHO obligation rates was carefully considered to ensure final decisions taken in relation to the overall scheme design, were evidence-based and underpin its successful implementation.
Detail in relation to each phase of analysis, including a full assessment of the level of renewable fuels to meet the obligation, is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/renewable-heat-obligation/
