A primary aim of the Government is to restore national competitiveness over the
next three to five years, mainly by reducing the country’s cost base.
Energy in its various forms costs Irish consumers in excess of €5Bn annually. Energy
prices are a major factor both for industry and for all those exposed to cost of living
trends.
The loss of competitiveness in the electricity sector over the past decade requires
both short and long term measures to reverse this negative trend. The Academy
report on energy published in June 2009 drew attention to this issue and proposed
measures for addressing the problem.
This update using the latest 2009 data confirms a continuing negative trend in the
competitiveness of Irish electricity against EU average prices.
Michael Hayden
President
Irish Academy of Engineering
New Report: Irish Energy Policy - Update on Electricity Price Competitiveness
Related Documents
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Irish Energy Policy - Update on Electricity Price Competitiveness - December 2009
In June 2009 the Irish Academy of Engineering published a review of Ireland’s energy policy. This review was carried out in the context of the major changes currently taking place in Ireland’s economy and focussed especially on energy price competitiveness. In particular the review drew attention to the growing lack of competitiveness of Irish electricity prices when compared to EU averages and strongly suggested a re‐examination of current policies in light of the urgent need to restore the country’s international competitiveness. The data used in the report was based on Eurostat statistics which, at the time, were available up to the year 2008. This data is updated by Eurostat during the first semester of each calendar year. Data for 2009 is now available and the Academy has updated its analysis. This bulletin shows the updated data and focuses on the emerging trends.
