
Energy Efficiency Ireland’s View on the Programme for Government: Lackluster and Vague

Written by
Michael Malone
Last edited
20/01/2025
The new Programme for Government is a document comprising no fewer than 160 pages, detailing the new government’s vision for the next five-year Dáil term.
When it comes to our climate targets, the lengthy document is excessively vague and sorely lacking in creativity, ambition and specificity. It focuses on continuity, and is devoid of the fresh, bold ideas that are needed to ramp up our climate efforts.
Perhaps the most important pledge absent from the document’s text is reducing our emissions by 90% by 2040.
In recent weeks, there had been calls from environmental organisations for creative and robust climate change policies to be a key part of government formation talks, as there were concerns that the Green Party losing its role in government might have a ‘de-greening’ effect on policies .
The Programme for Government includes an 11-page section on “Protecting Our Environment” and we welcome some commitments on energy efficiency and sustainability. However, unfortunately, these vows are few and far between, and generally far too vague.
There are also some policies included in the text that could negatively affect our climate targets, such lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, supporting more once-off rural housing, and looking to retain the nitrates derogation.
So let’s have a closer look at what is included in the Programme for Government regarding green policies, from energy grants and home retrofits to electric vehicles and solar panels.
Electric Vehicles
Following a huge increase in electric vehicle sales in 2023, sales decreased by 24% last year, with just 17,459 new electric vehicles registered in Ireland.
With the now mathematically impossible target of having 945,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030, incentives and infrastructure are desperately needed to ensure public confidence grows over the next five years.
The Programme for Government outlines some ways they aim to achieve a steady growth in EV sales. The government aims to:
Our Conclusion
While promises to improve infrastructure are welcome, our view is that the Programme’s section on EVs is ultimately vague, without specific targets for the number of new public EV charging stations.
For example, according to the SEAI, there are just 2,500 public charging stations in Ireland, compared to over 27,500 in Norway and around 18,000 in Denmark.
This means that real investment is needed immediately in infrastructure and while plans to substantially increase charge points are welcome, we need to see the rollout of these national strategies as a matter of urgency.
We also welcome the pledge to ‘examine additional incentives’ following the reduction in the grant for EV chargers last year to €300, which in our view was premature.
Overall, the pledges related to electric vehicles are generally lacking in specificity, and we believe that the charger grant should be immediately restored to at least €600 to encourage uptake as a starting point.
Solar Panels and Wind Energy
If 2024 was a disappointing year for EV sales in Ireland, the same cannot be said for solar PV panels, with installations with grant support up by 25% last year.
Around 30,000 solar PV installations were carried out in the State, with all but one county recording an increase on 2023 figures.
We are also (slowly) catching up with other EU countries of a similar size in terms of solar capacity.
With regard to renewable energy, the programme sets out the Government’s target of achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030. The new Government said it will:
Our Conclusion
Achieving an additional 8GW of solar will bring the total solar PV capacity for Ireland to over 10 GW, and we welcome this positive and clear commitment. If this is achieved, we will be catching up with countries of a similar size, such as Denmark and Sweden.
A rapid expansion of renewable energy generation is needed with an ever-growing demand for power as due to data centres. The Government must encourage growth for the sake of both the electrical grid and the economy.
In terms of domestic solar, the current maximum solar grant value from the SEAI is €1,800. We need to see a commitment from the incoming Government to maintain this over the next few coming years, to ensure we see further annual increases in solar adoption.
Other such grants issued by the SEAI must also be retained to prevent a decline in micro-generation more generally.
Energy Efficiency and Retrofitting
2024 saw the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) award a record €616 million in energy related supports to homes, businesses, communities and the public sector.
Significant progress has been made in recent years to increase the energy efficiency of homes across the country, increasing the BER of thousands of homes.
1.2 million unique dwellings have received an audit since 2009, with 15% receiving an A rating in their most recent audit, 15% achieving a B rating, and 33% a C rating.
Key takeaways from the Programme for Government include pledges to:
Our Conclusion
While progress has been made, there is work to be done to improve the energy rating of many homes. As of the most recent CSO data, the highest proportions of G rated dwellings are in Co. Roscommon (11%), Co. Leitrim (11%), and Co. Tipperary (10%).
The programme is again lacking in specific targets regarding the number of homes that the Government wishes to see retrofitted to a B2 rating, and how it will promote the low cost retrofit loan scheme. However, this scheme should encourage thousands of homeowners to carry out energy efficient upgrades, which must be welcomed.
Finally, we believe grants for heat pumps, insulation and solar PV must be maintained at their current values, to ensure the continued success of renewable energy systems.
Author:

Michael Malone
SOLAR ENERGY EDITOR
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
Author:

Michael Malone
Solar Energy Editor
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
Popular Content 🔥
Energy Efficiency Ireland’s View on the Programme for Government: Lackluster and Vague
Written by
Aimee Whelan
Last edited
12/02/2025
The new Programme for Government is a document comprising no fewer than 160 pages, detailing the new government’s vision for the next five-year Dáil term.
When it comes to our climate targets, the lengthy document is excessively vague and sorely lacking in creativity, ambition and specificity. It focuses on continuity, and is devoid of the fresh, bold ideas that are needed to ramp up our climate efforts.
Perhaps the most important pledge absent from the document’s text is reducing our emissions by 90% by 2040.
In recent weeks, there had been calls from environmental organisations for creative and robust climate change policies to be a key part of government formation talks, as there were concerns that the Green Party losing its role in government might have a ‘de-greening’ effect on policies .
The Programme for Government includes an 11-page section on “Protecting Our Environment” and we welcome some commitments on energy efficiency and sustainability. However, unfortunately, these vows are few and far between, and generally far too vague.
There are also some policies included in the text that could negatively affect our climate targets, such lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, supporting more once-off rural housing, and looking to retain the nitrates derogation.
So let’s have a closer look at what is included in the Programme for Government regarding green policies, from energy grants and home retrofits to electric vehicles and solar panels.
Electric Vehicles
Following a huge increase in electric vehicle sales in 2023, sales decreased by 24% last year, with just 17,459 new electric vehicles registered in Ireland.
With the now mathematically impossible target of having 945,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030, incentives and infrastructure are desperately needed to ensure public confidence grows over the next five years.
The Programme for Government outlines some ways they aim to achieve a steady growth in EV sales. The government aims to:
Our Conclusion
While promises to improve infrastructure are welcome, our view is that the Programme’s section on EVs is ultimately vague, without specific targets for the number of new public EV charging stations.
For example, according to the SEAI, there are just 2,500 public charging stations in Ireland, compared to over 27,500 in Norway and around 18,000 in Denmark.
This means that real investment is needed immediately in infrastructure and while plans to substantially increase charge points are welcome, we need to see the rollout of these national strategies as a matter of urgency.
We also welcome the pledge to ‘examine additional incentives’ following the reduction in the grant for EV chargers last year to €300, which in our view was premature.
Overall, the pledges related to electric vehicles are generally lacking in specificity, and we believe that the charger grant should be immediately restored to at least €600 to encourage uptake as a starting point.
Solar Panels and Wind Energy
If 2024 was a disappointing year for EV sales in Ireland, the same cannot be said for solar PV panels, with installations with grant support up by 25% last year.
Around 30,000 solar PV installations were carried out in the State, with all but one county recording an increase on 2023 figures.
We are also (slowly) catching up with other EU countries of a similar size in terms of solar capacity.
With regard to renewable energy, the programme sets out the Government’s target of achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030. The new Government said it will:
Our Conclusion
Achieving an additional 8GW of solar will bring the total solar PV capacity for Ireland to over 10 GW, and we welcome this positive and clear commitment. If this is achieved, we will be catching up with countries of a similar size, such as Denmark and Sweden.
A rapid expansion of renewable energy generation is needed with an ever-growing demand for power as due to data centres. The Government must encourage growth for the sake of both the electrical grid and the economy.
In terms of domestic solar, the current maximum solar grant value from the SEAI is €1,800. We need to see a commitment from the incoming Government to maintain this over the next few coming years, to ensure we see further annual increases in solar adoption.
Other such grants issued by the SEAI must also be retained to prevent a decline in micro-generation more generally.
Energy Efficiency and Retrofitting
2024 saw the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) award a record €616 million in energy related supports to homes, businesses, communities and the public sector.
Significant progress has been made in recent years to increase the energy efficiency of homes across the country, increasing the BER of thousands of homes.
1.2 million unique dwellings have received an audit since 2009, with 15% receiving an A rating in their most recent audit, 15% achieving a B rating, and 33% a C rating.
Key takeaways from the Programme for Government include pledges to:
Our Conclusion
While progress has been made, there is work to be done to improve the energy rating of many homes. As of the most recent CSO data, the highest proportions of G rated dwellings are in Co. Roscommon (11%), Co. Leitrim (11%), and Co. Tipperary (10%).
The programme is again lacking in specific targets regarding the number of homes that the Government wishes to see retrofitted to a B2 rating, and how it will promote the low cost retrofit loan scheme. However, this scheme should encourage thousands of homeowners to carry out energy efficient upgrades, which must be welcomed.
Finally, we believe grants for heat pumps, insulation and solar PV must be maintained at their current values, to ensure the continued success of renewable energy systems.
Author:

Michael Malone
SOLAR ENERGY EDITOR
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
Author:

Michael Malone
Solar Energy Editor
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.