Moving toward competitive sustainable and secure energy for Europe The European Union (EU) is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by between 80-95 % below 1990 levels by 2050. It has a clear agenda up to 2020. Now it is setting a new direction for its decarbonisation ambitions for the following 3 decades in order to provide certainty for investors, governments and citizens. Communication […]
CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 — setting CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles It sets out the EU’s first CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles. It will operate alongside Regulation (EU) 2019/631 to set out emission reduction targets for the EU road transport sector. It forms part of the EU’s strategy to achieve its greenhouse gas emissions […]
Carbon dioxide capture and storage The geological storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) can prevent and minimise the harmful effects of climate change. This directive establishes rules to ensure this practice is done safely. Directive 2009/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the geological storage of carbon dioxide and amending Council Directive 85/337/EEC, European Parliament and Council Directives 2000/60/EC, […]
European eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) The European Union eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) aims to encourage companies and other organisations to continually improve their environmental performance. It is open to any organisation inside or outside the EU, spans all economic and service Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations […]
Ecodesign requirements — welding equipment Regulation (EU) 2019/1784 — laying down ecodesign requirements for welding equipment It sets out ecodesign requirements for the placing on the market or the putting into service of electrical mains-operated welding equipment. Key Points It lists the welding processes to which the regulation applies and those to which it does not. The ecodesign requirements are set out in Annex II, […]
Targets for 2020 The climate and energy package comprises complementary legislation, aimed at ensuring the EU meets its ambitious climate and energy targets for 2020. The package sets 3 key targets: Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC […]
Programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE) (2014-20) This regulation establishes the fifth version of the LIFE programme, the EU’s main funding framework for environmental and climate change policy. It focuses on concrete environmental and climate policy priorities as well as areas for action. Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the establishment of […]
Substances Harming the Ozone Layer EU regulation covers certain substances harmful to the ozone layer. These include CFCs, HCFCs, and certain other substances. The regulation also affects products and equipment relying on these substances. The placing on the market or production of the substances or products and equipment containing them is prohibited with the exception of certain limited uses. The placing on the market of […]
EU rules on national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants Directive (EU) 2016/2284 on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants It aims to reduce the health risks and environmental impact of air pollution by establishing national emission reduction commitments. The directive also aligns emission reduction commitments under EU law with international commitments (following the revision of the Gothenburg Protocol in 2012). The legislation […]
Substances affecting the ozone layer The European Union (EU) wishes to phase out substances which deplete the ozone layer in order to protect human health and the environment. To contribute towards this objective, this Regulation integrates the provisions of the Montreal Protocol. It prohibits the production and placing on the market of the most dangerous substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). It also lays down rules […]
Non-road mobile machinery: gaseous pollutants In order to reduce air pollution caused by the engines of non-road mobile machinery, the Directive specifies, at Community level, acceptable emission standards for these engines and certification procedures with respect to these standards. Directive 97/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1997 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to […]
Reducing greenhouse gases by 2020 This Decision contributes to meeting the commitment made by the European Union to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 in relation to 1990 levels. It sets objectives for reducing emissions for each of the Member States and defines the means for checking whether they have been met. These objectives could be increased in line with international agreements. […]
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) The Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) forms a framework, based on the precautionary principle, which seeks to guarantee the safe elimination of these substances, which are harmful to human health and the environment, as well as reductions in their production and use. The Convention covers 12 priority POPs, although the eventual long-term objective is to cover other substances. Council […]
Motor vehicles: use of biofuels The European Union (EU) creates a Community framework to promote the use of biofuels in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact of transport, and to increase security of supply. Directive 2003/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 May 2003 on the promotion of the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels for […]
Reduction in CO2 emissions of new passenger cars Road transport is one of the largest greenhouse-gas emitting sectors in the European Union (EU). In order to reduce emissions in this sector, this Regulation sets limits for new passenger cars. Regulation (EC) No 443/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars as part […]
Establishment Bord Gáis was constituted to exploit the country’s natural gas resources in 1976. It was given powers to construct, maintain and repair pipelines. It was entitled to alter and demolish buildings, remove fences, hedges, walls, trees, etc., break up the surface of roads, divert roads, canals etc., subject to reinstatement on completion of the pipeline The Gas Act established Bord Gais Eireann Teoranta. Its […]
Lighting of Towns At common law, persons do not have the power to interfere with highways for the purpose of laying mains or pipes. This will constitute a public nuisance and persons would be liable to private suit and proceedings on indictment. They would be liable for damages to persons, thereby suffering damage or loss. The initial legislation prohibiting allowing for the laying of gas […]
Gas Undertakings From the early to mid-19th century, gas undertakings obtained private acts of parliament authorizing them to break open streets, lay pipes and the infrastructure for gas lighting. They are also authorized to manufacture and supply gas for lighting, heat and other purposes. They were authorised for the sale, disposal and dealing with gas, coke tar and other residual products. They were authorized to […]
The Gasworks Clauses Act regulated the older town gas supplying light and heating by manufactured gas. They continue to apply to some of Bord Gáis Networks that were directly taken over from the previous town gas supplier. The Gasworks Clauses Act was incorporated into private legislation authorizing the gas companies to construct and develop gas works and associated infrastructure, pipes etc. Under the Lighting of […]
Kinsale Field Ireland’s natural gas market has developed since the discovery of the Kinsale Field in the 1970s. Prior to that there was only manufactured that gas. The network has developed and expanded significantly over the last 45 years. Most large population areas now receive natural gas. Bord Gáis was incorporated under the Gas Act 1976. Over the subsequent years, work was begun to bring […]
The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995 created the framework for third party access to the Bord Gáis Network. They applied at first to large customers and persons who wish to source from alternative suppliers. All gas fired power generators and final consumers using more than 25 million m3 per annum were eligible as of 2000. This was effectively 50 percent of the market in volume […]
Electricity Expansion A substantial Bord Gáis power plant to Whitegate was commissioned in 2008 and was operational by 2010. The 445-megawatt output could power 500,000 homes. In 2008 Bord Gáis purchased a 30 megawatt wind farm in the west of Ireland. The wind farm investments increased to €50 million. Restructuring The Gas Regulation Act 2013 provides for the restructuring of Bord Gais Eireann and the […]
Single Market Committee The Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Single Electricity Market Act 2007 established a Single Electricity Market Committee. This helps the framework for the performance of functions of the CER (now the CRU) relating to the single market. It provided for information sharing between various parties to the SEM to facilitate the effective operation of the market. The Act provided objectives of the Minister and […]
Early Electric Light In London, electric light was first used in 1878. By 1882, over 50 companies had floated on the stock exchange, and very considerable capital had been employed. A speculative phase arose, and significant losses were later suffered. The first electric lights appeared in Dublin City in 1880. The Dublin Electric Light Company was floated as a public company. The first use of […]
Early Proposals The Liffey, Shannon, Erne and Bann were mentioned as possible of hydroelectric power resources. A company was formed which sought to generate hydroelectricity from the Liffey. Dublin Corporation had itself undertaken a feasibility study into the use of the Liffey for this purpose. It recommended a storage reservoir above Poulaphouca by constructing a dam 100 feet high with the building of a power […]
ESB Boards The Board was to be nominated by the Executive Council. Members were to hold office for five years. Employees were not civil servants and were not pensionable. The Board sought to be removed from politics. No member could be a member of the Dail or Seanad. It was to be entrusted with the responsibility for making the Shannon scheme a workable economic proposition. […]
Ringsend When it was built in 1955, Ringsend station was the largest in the Irish Electricity network. It was developed in two stages, Ringsend “A” of 90,000 kW capacity, commissioned in 1955-56 and Ringsend “B” of 180,000 kW capacity, commissioned in 1965-56: RINGSEND Acomprised four Babcock and Willcox 200,000 lb./hr. boilers delivering steam at 625 p.s.i.g. 865/F to a receiver for distribution to three Parsons […]
Liberalisation European Union directives aim to create a single European electricity market. Ireland has progressively liberalised the market and energy commencing with the Energy Regulation Act 1999, followed by the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity Regulations 2000. In 2005, the full market was opened up to competition. Bord Gáis initially entered the market for business customers. Once ESB reached 60 per cent share, deregulation […]
Background In 2018 the Irish Government approved the high-level design of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) including its ambitious community provisions. The design was based on two public consultations: The ambition set out in Ireland’s Energy White Paper to support communities, The emergence of energy communities as a key function of the recast Renewable Energy Directive within the EU Clean Energy Package. The Government decision […]
Market in Energy The directive on the internal market in electricity establishes common rules for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It sets rules relating to the organization and functioning of the electricity sector, access to the market, criteria and procedures applicable to calls for tenders, and the granting of authorizations for the operation of systems. Electricity businesses must be operated in accordance with […]
Single Energy Market The All-Ireland single electricity market is the wholesale electricity market for the island of Ireland. It is regulated jointly by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in the Republic of Ireland and the Utilities Regulator in Northern Ireland The single energy market was the first of its kind and commenced on 1 November 2007. Decision-making is undertaken by the SEM committee which […]
Harmonised Market The European Union has made directives with a view to harmonizing the internal markets for natural gas, electricity, and equivalent utilities. The purpose of the legislation is to provide for the opening up of the markets to competition. The Directive on the gas market is designed to complete the opening of the national gas markets to competition. The purpose is to increase competitiveness […]
General Targets An EU Directive seeks to achieve the Union\’s energy efficiency target of 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels and to pave the way for further energy efficiency improvements beyond that date. It includes a requirement for all Member States to set indicative national energy efficiency targets for 2020. The Directive promotes energy efficiency across the Union through a common framework of measures. They cover […]
Household Appliances The EU has made legislation in relation to the publication of information on energy consumption by household appliances. This enables consumers to choose appliances based on energy efficiency. The directive applies to household appliances even where sold for non-household uses including Refrigerators, Freezers, Washing machines, dryers, Dishwashers, Ovens, Water heaters and hot water storage appliances, Lighting sources, Air-conditioning appliances. Any such appliances offered […]
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer Decision 88/540/EEC on the conclusion of the Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer The Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer lays down the principles to protect the ozone layer*, following […]