# Energy Crisis
This year
2023
# Ukraine War
Germany to shut its last nuclear power plants this weekend despite energy crisis
The last three reactors were due to be switched off on 31 December last year but that deadline was extended.
# energy costs
Electric Ireland to cut business' bills from Wednesday but no change for households
An average decrease of 10% is set to take effect on electricity bills for small and medium enterprises.
# rising costs
Minister indicates targeted and universal cost-of-living measures on the cards as talks intensify
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he plans to make announcement about new and extended cost-of-living measures in mid-February.
Last year
2022
# Lights out
‘Heads must roll’: Industry and experts argue energy crisis of ‘our own making’
Concerns flagged as early as 2014 over the need to bring new power plants online to meet energy demands.
Academic analysis shows emissions for 2022 to date are estimated to be 7% higher than last year
EPA: Options being considered will impact on the State’s ability to meet legal climate targets
# Energy Crisis
Eamon Ryan hails EU agreement on natural gas price cap after months of wrangling
Ryan said that it was vital that Europe remains united against energy supply being used as a ‘weapon of war.’
# Data Centres
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Are data centres ramping up Ireland’s emissions?
Niall Sargent of Noteworthy and UCD’s Dr Patrick Brodie tell Susan Daly about our latest investigation.
# energy costs
Long-awaited energy poverty plan published as Ryan warns prices may not drop for two years
The plan includes a €10 million Government hardship fund for vulnerable energy customers.
THE MORNING LEAD
Staff shortages leave energy regulator scrambling to keep the lights on
Noteworthy reveals the CRU needs almost 70 more staff to deliver on its security of supply and climate roles.
Core work of the energy regulator ‘frequently delayed by a lack of staff’, Government told
Concerns over staff burnout repeatedly raised by the regulator’s risk committee
Tánaiste says to prepare for risk of amber alerts in the run-up to Christmas
# Energy Crisis
Stark rise in deprivation as more people struggle to heat homes and face utility bill arrears
The number of people living in deprivation and struggling to heat their homes has risen in 2022
# Energy Crisis
Cabinet green lights windfall tax on energy companies
Revenue above a certain cap will be collected and used to support consumers facing expensive bills.
Gas Networks Ireland not forecasting any disruption to Irish supply this winter
A report said that while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created additional challenges, there is enough supply and capacity to meet demand.
# Price hike
Prepay Power increases electricity rates for the second time this year
The pay-as-you-go provider is not increasing its gas prices.
# Energy Crisis
As winter approaches, not all energy bill 'hardship funds' are created equal
The Journal asked a number of energy companies if like Electric Ireland, they too had set up hardship funds for customers in need.
# Energy Crisis
CO2 emissions from combustion set to grow only slightly this year despite fears of big jump
In China, the world’s largest polluter, emissions will stay largely flat in 2022.
# covid recovery
Scheme to delay businesses repaying Covid debts to Revenue extended until 2024
Revenue has pushed the repayment date for warehoused debt out to 1 May 2024.
THE MORNING LEAD
Consumer price inflation forecasts revised upwards to 8% by the Central Bank
The Central Bank has published its latest quarterly bulletin today.
The Central Bank has published its latest quarterly bulletin today.
The Bank says energy-driven inflation is the key issue being faced currently.
The outlook for domestic growth over the coming quarters is "more challenging than was previously expected", it says.
Voices
Jennifer Whitmore: The lifting of planning rules for solar panels is welcome but long overdue
The Social Democrats TD says the government is behind the curve as it finally lifts restrictions on numbers of panels on a property.
# energy costs
Electric Ireland, SSE Airtricity and Bord Gáis price hikes kick in this weekend
Increases for Electric Ireland and SSE Airtricity customers comes into effect today.
# Windfall levy
EU agrees to windfall levy on energy companies which could generate €2 billion for Ireland
Speaking prior to the agreement, Enegery Minister Eamon RyanIreland can expect up to €2 billion from the deal.
# Peak pricing
Industrial electricity users face 10% hike during peak hours
The utilities regulator says the decision will impact large manufacturers and data centres but not domestic users.
# Energy Crisis
All households to receive energy credits worth a total of €600
The first credit, worth €200, will be applied to bills in November.
# Energy Crisis
Plans lodged for back-up gas generators in north Dublin
The site will generate enough electricity to power 236,000 homes for a year.
# Energy Crisis
The Christmas lights in Dublin will be turned off earlier each night this year
Eamon Ryan said earlier this month that local authorities were looking at the issue of Christmas lights this winter.
# France
Louvre and Versailles to turn off lights earlier in symbolic energy savings push
The Louvre Pyramid will go dark at 11pm instead of 1am to remind the public of the energy crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine.
# Energy Crisis
Explainer: How can energy profits and wholesale prices both be on the rise?
ESB is the latest energy company to announce a large after-tax profit.
# Energy Crisis
Taoiseach says 'much higher' ESB dividend to be taken as after-tax profits hit €390 million
The company recorded a jump from €128 million in the first half of 2021 to €390 million in the same period this year.
# budget 2023
Windfall tax will be backdated but it's unclear how much money levy will raise, say leaders
The Taoiseach says it is still unclear how much money the levy will raise.
# Energy Crisis
EU plans 'comprehensive reform' of electricity market as MEPs back higher renewables target
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said ‘Russia keeps on actively manipulating our energy market’.
# Sowed and Reaped
'It shouldn't have been a surprise': How policy choices brought Ireland's energy to the brink
Experts explain how decisions made in years gone by have led us to our current position of facing down a bleak winter, even without the war in Ukraine.
THE MORNING LEAD
Most energy suppliers are still not paying households for solar power despite August promise
Only one energy supplier could confirm that it started to pay microgenerators – here’s a breakdown of what each company said.
Microgenerators are supposed to be able to sell back any surplus power they produce to their energy supplier.
Only one supplier could confirm that it started to pay microgenerators before 31 August in line with an assurance by the national energy regulator.
At least eight had not yet commenced payment, Lauren Boland reports.
# Cost of Living
Liz Truss to cap household energy bills at £2,500 and lift fracking ban
Reports suggest the plan could cost up to £150 billion, surpassing Britain’s Covid-era furlough jobs support scheme.
# Cost of Living
People Before Profit call for 'radical measures' to tackle sky-high energy prices
TD Richard Boyd Barrett called for an energy price cap to be implemented by the Government.
# Energy Crisis
Price hikes: Energia to increase electricity prices by 29% and gas by 39%
Dual fuel customers will face a rise of 33%.
# Energy Crisis
Use of street Christmas lights being considered by local councils amidst energy crisis, says Ryan
The energy minister said there’s no guarantees that power blackouts can be avoided this winter.
# Take it by storm
Top climate panel tells government how to weather energy crisis
The Climate Change Advisory Council says crucial actions to combat the climate crisis are not happening quickly enough.
The Climate Change Advisory Council says crucial actions to combat the climate crisis are not happening quickly enough.
In its annual report, it tells the government how to power through the current energy crisis, Lauren Boland reports.
# Daylight Savings
Could a decision NOT to turn back the clocks save on energy bills this winter?
Experts have conflicting opinions on whether the move would be good for Ireland.
# Energy Crisis
European stocks and euro tumble as Russia fuels energy crisis
Investors are fearful of an energy supply crunch during the peak-demandin winter.
THE MORNING LEAD
'I cry a lot now trying to figure out what to do': Your stories of coping with soaring energy bills
We asked our readers to share their stories. Here’s what they told us.
The Journal asked readers to reach out with their stories about the continuing impact of rising energy prices.
Electric Ireland, SSE Airtricity and Bord Gáis have all hiked their prices in recent days.
Speculation on what the Government will do to tackle the energy crisis has continued ahead of the Budget.
# your stories
Are you struggling with the rising cost of energy? We want to hear your stories
The cost of electricity and gas is set to continue to rise into the winter.
# Energy Crisis
Risk of electricity blackouts in Ireland ‘slightly worse’ than last winter, committee hears
Eamon Ryan is appearing before the Committee this afternoon alongside Eirgrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
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