Ireland is not decoupling economic growth from energy use quickly enough, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

Despite energy use growing at a slower rate (3.7%) compared to the economy (5.1%), Jim Gannon, Chief Executive of the SEAI, said it is not reducing fast enough.

He was speaking at the launch of SEAI's report 'Energy in Ireland 1990-2016' which presents the latest national data and trends on energy efficiency and renewable energy in Ireland.

He said: "Each of us, in our homes and businesses, has a personal responsibility to find ways to be more energy efficient. No one organisation or policy can address the problem of climate change in isolation – it needs urgent action across our society.

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"While our cars and homes are becoming more efficient, and we are investing record amounts in efficiency policies, these actions on their own may not get us to where we need to be. There is something you can do today that will make a real difference – whether it's turning down the thermostat, switching off a light, looking at energy ratings of appliances when you buy, or choosing an electric car. Supports are available to help with this and all of us, as homeowners, businesses and motorists need to make better choices and in much greater numbers."

The report pointed to the reduction of our energy import dependency to 69% in 2016, down from 88% the previous year. This helped to lower our annual energy import bill to €3.4 billion from €4.6 billion.

In 2016 Ireland became a net electricity exporter for the first time since 2001, primarily because of a high carbon floor price in the UK, where there was also a squeeze on capacity. The additional supply was largely met by gas generation. However, with lower than normal levels of wind and hydro energy, a side-effect was that supplying this demand marginally raised Irelands carbon intensity of electricity.

(CD/MH)