National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 4 (2017-2020)

Ireland submits national energy efficiency action plans every four years to the European Commission in accordance with the 2006 EU energy end-use efficiency and energy services directive. This latest NEEAP updates the Third NEEAP (2014). It includes a range of new measures including: The Warmth and Wellbeing scheme: A pilot initiative being delivered under the Government Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The objective of the pilot is to validate, in an Irish context, the international evidence that suggests making homes warmer and more energy efficient can have a positive effect on the health and wellbeing of people in energy poverty who are also living with a chronic respiratory condition such as COPD & Asthma Deep Retrofit Pilot: This will operate from 2017 to establish how best to support deeper levels of renovation in the residential sector. While it will in itself deliver energy efficiency gains its main purpose will be to gain practical experience and insights on how best to encourage and support deeper residential energy efficiency offerings post 2020. Energy Audits for Large Energy Users: Introduced in Ireland in 2015 in support of the objectives of Article 8 of the Directive. Behvaioural Economics Unit: This dedicated new unit will be established in SEAI in 2017. Its objective is to better understand the behaviors and motivations of key decision makers when deciding on choices with energy efficiency potential and how those decisions might be more effectively influenced in favour of more energy efficiency outcomes. Technical Bureau: A new unit is being established in SEAI to complement the range of programmes currently delivered by the organisation. This unit will have a particular focus on technical barriers, supports and solutions. The objective it so to catalyse greater and accelerated energy efficiency activity across targeted sectors. Two key pilots are being undertaken in 2017: Schools Sector and Central Government Buildings. Energy Standards and Design (EXEED): The EXEED Certified Program was launched by SEAI during 2016. This provides a project-based standard for Energy Efficient Design Management in design of new investments. The objective is to minimise lifecycle energy consumption where energy performance is locked-in during this design timeframe. DS3 System Services: The "Delivering a Secure Sustainable Electricity System (DS3) € programme aims to meet the challenge of operating the power system with up to 75% of instantaneous demand being met from windfarms by 2020. A key element of the programme, DS3 System Services, went live in 2016.

Want to know more about this policy ? Learn more