Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
15. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the Department has estimated the greenhouse gas emissions reductions that could be achieved through the expansion of district heating under the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill; if he will provide the relevant figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69346/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not estimated the potential greenhouse gas emissions reductions that could be achieved through the expansion of district heating. The Environmental Protection Agency has overall responsibility for compiling, monitoring, and reporting on the country's national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. However, the Agency does not maintain data that could be disaggregated to provide an estimate specifically on the impacts of district heating with regard to GHG reductions.
Academic research published in October 2025 by the Energy Policy and Modelling Group at University College Cork did, however, find that putting in place 2.5TWh of district heating capacity, a figure broadly in line with the Climate Action Plan projection for the delivery of 2.7TWh, could deliver annual carbon reductions of around 0.6MtCO2.
