Total energy consumption fell by 8.8%.
There was a sharp drop in energy consumption in Ireland in 2020, as the country spent much of the year in high-level Covid 19 restrictions.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has published is 2020 National Energy Balance report.
It finds the energy related CO2 emissions, including international aviation, fell by 11.5%, or 4.3 million tonnes, last year.
The SEAI says this is "the most significant annual reduction since the height of the economic recession in 2009."
The primary driver of this reduction was lower consumption of oil products for transport, which is mainly attributable to the change in national and international travel patterns due to public health measures.
Dr. Denis Dineen is Energy Statistics Analyst at the SEAI.
He joined Clem Ryan on Monday's edition of Kildare Today.
SEAI Publishes Ireland’s 2020 National Energy Balance
— Council Journal (@CouncilJournal) October 11, 2021
Read more here: https://t.co/IViQn6LphS#SEAI #NationalEnergyBalance #Environment #GreenhouseGas @SEAI_ie pic.twitter.com/0E7Ekg7ahN
The figures for 2020 show:
- Total energy consumption fell by 8.8% against a backdrop of a 5.4% contraction of the economy.
- Total transport energy use was down by over a quarter (26%).
- Oil-product use decreased by 16.5% - the largest annual reduction observed to date.
- The single largest reduction in oil-product use was the two-thirds drop in jet kerosene use for international aviation (64.3%).
- Consumption of road diesel and petrol were down 13.6% and 25.9%, respectively.
- Peat use fell by a third, mainly due to a halving of peat for electricity generation.
- The CO2 intensity of electricity improved by 8.1%, due to more renewable generation and less use of peat.
Kildare Sees Low Uptake In Vital Business Grant, With Deadline Looming
Over €100 Worth Of Scratch Cards Stolen From Shop In Leixlip
Burglary in Tinnakill: Two Mobile Homes Targeted Alongside Vehicle Theft
Tributes Paid To Former Kfm Presenter, Celine Garvey, Who Had "Incredible Energy And Smile"
Three Million Euro Investment Has Been Made Towards Newbridge Library
Some Students In Caragh & Kill Left Stranded On Roadside This Morning, As Naas School Buses Don't Show
Over One Million Euro In Funding Allocated To Repairs And Improvements For Rural Roads And Laneways Across Kildare
Sewerage Flowing Into Canal From The Harbour In Naas Down To Osberstown Bridge
