Publications
Can Ireland Still Meet its District Heating Targets by 2030?
Our latest policy brief examines progress toward the 2030 district heating targets, outlined in the Government’s Climate Action Plan. The findings point to a significant gap between ambition and delivery.
- Authors
- Year
- 2025
- Category
- Policy brief
- Keywords
- District Heating, Energy, Climate Action Plan
- Project
- Link to Publication
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom%C3%A1s-mac-uidhir-92637158_district-heating-policy-brief-activity-7361357618742759426-QIwf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACa2oYABvttBBtUNo76Is6ryZIJ-Aii9ty0
Abstract
Key insights:
🏠 2.5 TWh would require connecting between 187,000 and 314,000 homes (depending on their energy efficiency and demand).
📊 Current pipeline: about 60,000 homes identified across Tallaght, Dublin Docklands, and Galway projects.
🏢 Most early connections will be to anchor loads (e.g., public buildings, universities, hospitals etc.) rather than residential homes.
💰 While the recent €5 million allocation from DCEE to cover pre-construction costs for efficient DH projects is welcome, progress toward large-scale residential rollout remains slow and well short of what’s needed for 2030.
District heating can play a central role in decarbonising Ireland’s heating sector alongside heat pumps, but it needs faster delivery, clearer planning, and stronger policy support.