M a y 2 0 1 2 Limerick Clare Energy & Emissions Balance 2010 Limerick Clare Energy Agency i Limerick Clare Energy Plan March 9, 2012 ii Table of Contents The Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA) was established in 2005 through the joint investment of Limerick and Clare County Councils. Investors Limerick County Council County Hall, Dooradoyle, County Limerick Clare County Council County Offices Gort Road, Ennis, County Clare The LCEA is fortunate to receive support for its work from the local development companies in Clare and Limerick, together with the ongoing support from the University of Limerick. Sponsors Clare Local Development Company Ltd. Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road,, Ennis, County Clare. Ballyhoura Development Ltd. Kilfinane, County Limerick. West Limerick Resources, St. Mary’s Road, Newcastle West. County Limerick University of Limerick, Plassey, County Limerick March 9, 2012 Limerick Clare Energy Agency iii Limerick Clare Energy Plan March 2012 Report Commissioned & Edited By © Limerick Clare Energy Agency Limerick Clare Energy Agency Foundation Building University of Limerick Limerick. T: 061 234296 E: [email protected] W: www.lcea.ie Authors: David Connolly, Aalborg University, Denmark Brian Vad Mathiesen, Aalborg University, Denmark Xavier Dubuisson, XD Consulting Ltd., Ireland Kenneth Hansen, Aalborg University, Denmark Henrik Lund, Aalborg University, Denmark Paddy Finn, University of Limerick, Ireland Joe Hodgins, Crystal Energy, Ireland Online access: www.lcea.ie www.aau.dk www.dconnolly.net The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions and help of the following: March 9, 2012 iv Table of Contents Name Organisation Carmel Fox Ballyhoura Development Ltd Padraic Casey Ballyhoura Development Ltd Jim Linehan Central Statistics Office David Timlin Clare County Council Paul Moroney Clare County Council Brian McCarthy Clare County Council Dóirín Graham Clare Local Development Company Ltd. Gloria Callanan Clare Local Development Company Ltd. Paddy Donovan Donovan Forestry Service Gerard Behan Limerick County Council Tom O’Neill Limerick County Council Anthony Coleman Limerick County Council Brian Callanan Shannon Development J. J. Leahy University of Limerick Shay Riordan West Limerick Resources Joan Casy West Limerick Resources Tim Coffey West Limerick Resources March 9, 2012 Limerick Clare Energy Agency v Limerick Clare Energy Plan Table of Contents Section Description Page Table of Contents .........................................................................................................................................v Limerick Clare Energy Agency ....................................................................................................................viii Executive Summary .....................................................................................................................................ix Nomenclature............................................................................................................................................ xiv 1 Introduction........................................................................................................................................15 2 Relevant Energy Policy ........................................................................................................................21 2.1 EU Policy....................................................................................................................................21 2.2 National Policy ...........................................................................................................................21 2.3 Local Policy ................................................................................................................................24 2.4 Limerick and Clare Policies .........................................................................................................25 3 Existing Energy Balances .....................................................................................................................27 3,1 National Energy Balance..................................................................................................................27 3,2 Local Energy Balances......................................................................................................................29 3.1.1 Limerick and Clare Region......................................................................................................29 3.1.2 Summary ...............................................................................................................................29 4 Energy Consumption Methodology .....................................................................................................30 5 Energy Production...............................................................................................................................31 5.1 Energy Infrastructure .................................................................................................................31 5.1.1 Electricity Production.............................................................................................................31 5.1.2 Electricity Transmission & Distribution...................................................................................33 5.1.3 Gas Distribution .....................................................................................................................35 5.1.4 District Heating......................................................................................................................36 5.1.5 Transport...............................................................................................................................36 5.2 Local Energy Mix ........................................................................................................................37 5.2.1 Electricity (Intermittent Renewables).....................................................................................38 5.2.2 Heat (Biomass).......................................................................................................................40 5.2.3 Transport (Biofuel).................................................................................................................40 6 Energy and Emission Balance – Ireland................................................................................................41 March 9, 2012 vi Table of Contents 6.1 Ireland .......................................................................................................................................44 7 Energy and Emission Balance – Limerick - Clare Region ......................................................................49 7.1 Limerick-Clare Region.................................................................................................................49 7.1.1 Limerick – Clare Region Excluding Large Energy Users............................................................49 7.1.2 Limerick – Clare Region Including Large Energy Users.............................................................52 8 Energy and Emission Balance – County Clare.......................................................................................55 9 Energy and Emission Balance – County Limerick..................................................................................58 9.1 Limerick County - Excluding Large Energy Users ................................................................................58 9.2 Limerick County - Including Large Energy Users.................................................................................61 10 Energy and Emission Balance – Limerick City ..................................................................................64 11 Conclusions and Recommendations ...............................................................................................67 12 Bibliography...................................................................................................................................70 Appendices.................................................................................................................................................77 A. Key Regional Statistics Tables..................................................................................................................77 A.1 Geographic and Political Region........................................................................................................77 A.2 Climate .............................................................................................................................................77 A.3 Population ........................................................................................................................................79 A.4 Employment .....................................................................................................................................80 A.4.1 Industry......................................................................................................................................80 A.4.2 Services......................................................................................................................................81 A.5 Housing ............................................................................................................................................82 A.6 Transport..........................................................................................................................................83