Ireland’s energy emissions fall to lowest level in over 30 years as household electricity and heat demand rise
SEAI report shows progress on renewables but highlights continued reliance on fossil fuels for transport and home heating
Thursday 8th January 2026 | editor@ipropertyradio.com
Ireland’s energy-related carbon emissions fell to their lowest level in more than three decades in 2024, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s latest Energy in Ireland report, published today. However, the data also shows rising electricity and heat demand, with households facing increasing exposure to energy costs and the pace of home energy transition remaining uneven.
SEAI reports that national energy-related emissions totalled 30.9 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2024, down 1.5% on 2023 and 16% below 2018 levels, which form the baseline for Ireland’s carbon budgets. Electricity emissions fell sharply, reaching a record low, while emissions from home and building heat increased.
For housing consumers, the report highlights a mixed picture. Residential electricity demand accounted for just over a quarter of national electricity use in 2024, while household heat demand rose by 6% year-on-year to 22.3 TWh. Nearly 90% of Ireland’s total heat demand, including in homes, continues to be met by fossil fuels, underlining the scale of the challenge facing homeowners reliant on oil and gas heating systems.
Electricity emissions fell by 8.3% in 2024 to 6.9 MtCO₂eq, driven largely by increased renewable generation. Wind supplied 41.8% of Ireland’s electricity, with fossil fuel generation falling to its lowest share on record at 45.3%. Overall, renewables accounted for 41.3% of electricity consumption, moving Ireland closer to its 80% renewable electricity target for 2030.
Renewable energy use increased across the system, with solar PV generation up 69% and heat pump output up 19% in 2024. The overall share of renewable energy across all sectors rose to 16.1%, the highest level recorded, and above Ireland’s original 2020 target. However, this remains well short of the 43% renewable energy target set for 2030.
The report also points to growing pressure on the electricity system, with total demand rising by 4.1% in 2024. Data centres now account for more than one-fifth of all electricity use and nearly 90% of the increase in demand since 2015, a factor with indirect implications for household electricity costs and grid capacity.
Transport remains the most fossil-fuel dependent sector, with 93% of transport energy coming from fossil sources. While transport emissions fell slightly in 2024, energy use from private cars increased by 3.2%, and heavy goods vehicle demand rose by almost 8%, both exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
SEAI said the findings underline the need for continued investment in home energy upgrades, renewable electricity, and low-carbon heating solutions, alongside measures to support households least able to fund the transition. For homeowners and renters, the data reinforces the long-term cost and emissions benefits of improved insulation, electrification of heating, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, even as energy demand continues to grow.The full Energy in Ireland 2025 report is available from SEAI and provides detailed analysis of trends in household energy use, emissions, and progress towards national and EU climate targets: https://www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Energy-in-Ireland-2025.pdf
