Ireland is at an important crossroads in energy policy. The new White Paper ‘Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy’ sets out the pathway for the future direction of energy policy until 2030 but also maps a framework for the rest of this century with a vision for a low carbon energy system by 2050 and an even greater ambition of zero greenhouse gas emissions from energy by 2100. Coupled with this are the commitments signed up to under COP-21 in Paris, to limit global temperature rises below 2°C while aiming for 1.5°C – something which experts identify as a major challenge.
The challenge for the energy industry is to balance these commitments on sustainability with the other key pillars of energy policy – security of supply and competitiveness to ensure we have an energy system that continues to meet the needs of the economy and its citizens in an affordable way.
This transition to a low-carbon future will be a key theme at this year’s Energy Ireland conference, which takes place in Croke Park, Dublin on 16 and 17 June. Energy Ireland, now in its 20th year, is Ireland’s largest and most long-established energy conference, attended every year by all the key players in the Irish energy sector, as well as many from further afield who maintain an interest in how the energy sector in Ireland is developing.
This year’s conference will examine important themes by way of an expert panel of speakers, including local industry leaders, policy-makers and regulators. In addition, the conference regularly attracts high-level international speakers who look at major energy issues in the wider European or global context. It’s a one-stop shop for information gathering, networking and business development.
The year 2016 was a year of transition:
• Global economic slowdown;
• Turbulence in European Union;
• New incoming Government;
• Climate policy post COP-21;
• Renewable heat and transport;
• Looking beyond electricity;
• New electricity market;
• Role of gas as a transition fuel.
Conference themes
Day 1 of the conference will open with a plenary session looking at the future of Irish energy. Delegates will hear from an expert panel of speakers from Irish energy industry leaders including ESB, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Bord Gáis Energy and SSE Ireland.
Other sessions on Day 1 will look to address the energy networks and infrastructure challenge whilst parallel sessions in the afternoon will discuss gas market developments and the future of solar, an area that offers major growth opportunities in Ireland. The day will conclude with a locknote address looking at Ireland in the global energy market, giving delegates the opportunity to debate this important issue during the panel discussion.
Day 2 will split into two main sessions – one session will be dedicated to the challenges facing energy and climate and will hear presentations from local and international experts whilst the other session will explore the future of energy within a digital world. Day 2 will also include a dedicated session looking at the future of energy storage, now an important issue as the level of renewables continues to increase. The conference will close with a plenary session addressing electricity market re-design and the policy implications of I-SEM.
Expert speakers
This year’s conference will have a panel of visiting international experts including:
- European energy and climate policy: Meeting the targets
Marie Donnelly, director, DG Energy, European Commission
- Global market outlook for solar energy
Oliver Schäfer, president, SolarPower Europe
- Electricity markets are broken: Can they be fixed?
Malcolm Keay, senior research fellow, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
- Six global trends impacting on the energy industry in 2016
Cameron Hepburn, director, Institute for New Economic Thinking, University of Oxford
- Developing energy co-operation between Ireland and France
Jean-Pierre Thébault, French Ambassador to Ireland
- The importance of technology and innovation in meeting global renewable energy targets
Dolf Gielen, director, Innovation & Technology Centre, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
- Global oil and gas price drivers
Stuart Elliott, senior gas analyst, Platts
Local energy sector leaders addressing the conference include:
- Pat O’Doherty, chief executive, ESB
- Dave Kirwan, chief operating officer, Bord Gáis Energy
- Garrett Blaney, chair, Commission for Energy Regulation
- Jenny Pyper, chief executive, Utility Regulator Northern Ireland
- Stephen Wheeler, managing director, SSE Ireland
- Rosheen McGuckian, chief executive, NTR plc
- John Mullins, chief executive officer, Amarenco Solar
- Fintan Slye, chief executive, EirGrid plc
- William Walsh, chief operations officer, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
- Michael McNicholas, group chief executive officer, Ervia
Networking and exhibition
While there will be much knowledge disseminated in the formal conference sessions, Energy Ireland is about more than just policy discussion. The conference brings together the key movers and shakers in Irish energy affording them the opportunity to network and socialise as well as engage in the informal discussions that can ultimately lead to real business development.
As a two day, multi-stream conference, Energy Ireland is an excellent platform for companies wishing to profile their goods and services to a key audience of energy sector decision-makers. A physical presence by way of exhibition at the conference provides a valuable opportunity for making contacts, networking and lobbying. There are a limited number of high quality exhibition spaces still available at this year’s conference.
Ten reasons you should book your place now:
1. Ireland’s major annual energy conference – all key players attend;
2. Excellent networking and business development opportunities;
3. Hear from Ireland’s energy leaders: DCENR, CER, ESB, Bord Gáis Energy, Ervia, SSE, SEAI, UReg, Gas Networks Ireland, NTR, EirGrid;
4. High profile visiting experts presenting external perspectives;
5. In-depth workshops and briefings;
6. Opportunity to hear all the latest developments in Irish energy in one place;
7. Lively exhibition area;
8. Over 300 delegates attend across two days;
9. Opportunities for Q&A and direct engagement with speakers;
10. Early bird discount available until 31 March – save over €150.
For more information on Energy Ireland or to view the full conference programme, go to the website www.energyireland.ie. To book a place at the conference, call us on +353 (0)1 661 3755.