A new organisation has been launched to help electrify the heating and transport sectors across Ireland.
Ireland Electrified will push for policies to accelerate electrification, cut carbon emissions and strengthen energy security.
Branded 'Ireland’s second electrification', it coincides with efforts to increase the amount of renewable electricity generated.
Major energy players have already joined the group including Bord na Móna, Energia, ESB, SSE and Viotas. The association is actively seeking new members.
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said electricity will account for a much bigger chunk of the energy system.
"Ireland Electrified is an important voice which will be working to support the delivery of Government policies and of targets in the Climate Action Plan around electrification," he said.
"Electricity will go from 20% of the energy system now to about 80% of the energy system in the second half of this century, allowing a far cleaner, efficient and indigenous energy system that will benefit all of our citizens.
"It is important that the industry players have a robust and united voice in the debate on how best to achieve this".
A woman charging an electric car at a charging point. Image: Cultura Creative RF / AlamyIreland Electrified Chairperson Donall O'Brien said they will be seeking quicker connections.
"A central part of any plan to cut our carbon emissions and to end our dependency on imported fossil fuels must be to electrify our heat and transport systems," he said.
"We will be developing policies that encourage the transition away from fossil fuels and incentivise greater use of electricity, especially for heat and transport.
"We will be seeking quicker connections for electrification where companies can be flexible in their demand, a review of electricity pass-through costs, better utilisation of the electricity we are already producing for the grid and improved EV charging infrastructure," he added.
Ireland Electrified brings together organisations and businesses that use electricity for heat and transport including electricity generators, technology companies, installers and manufacturers.
