Green Hydrogen strategy essential for Ireland to meet net zero emissions targets

Wind Energy Ireland calls on Government to accelerate support for new Green Hydrogen industry

Green hydrogen, produced from renewable electricity, can play a vital role in Ireland’s transition to a net-zero society, boost our economy and make our energy supply more secure according to a new report published today by Wind Energy Ireland.

Hydrogen and Wind Energy – The Role of Green Hydrogen in Ireland’s Energy Transition was authored by Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions Ltd. (GDG) on behalf of Wind Energy Ireland, with support from Green Tech Skillnet.

It shows how Ireland’s abundant wind energy resources could produce vast quantities of green hydrogen, which can be used to reduce our dependence on the imported fossil fuels that caused significant spikes in electricity prices in the second half of 2021.

The report also sets out how green hydrogen has emerged as a leading option for reducing emissions in hard to decarbonise sectors of the economy such as industry and transport. It can also be used to provide electricity during periods of low wind or solar energy.

Wind Energy Ireland has identified two key policy actions urgently needed to kick-start a green hydrogen industry in Ireland.

Wind Energy Ireland is calling on the Government to:

1. Release a robust hydrogen strategy by the end of Q2 2022, setting out targets across industry, heavy road transport, shipping, aviation and power generation.
2. Immediately establish a high-level cross-Government Group to develop recommendations to cut the price of renewable electricity so we can produce green hydrogen as cheaply as possible and compete internationally.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Ireland has an enormous opportunity to transition rapidly to a zero-carbon electricity system, and green hydrogen can play a vitally important part in getting us there.

“In addition to delivering the wind energy targets set out in the 2021 Climate Action Plan, we must plan for the long-term replacement of our existing gas generator fleet with green hydrogen and long-duration storage over the next decade. This will help ensure that we have a reliable source of power that can deliver when the wind doesn’t blow, and the sun doesn’t shine.

“Ireland is one of a handful of EU Member States without a hydrogen strategy. The Government must accelerate the development of a robust hydrogen strategy so that by the middle of this year we are setting out targets for green hydrogen use across industry, heavy road transport, shipping, aviation and power generation.

“Ireland is ready for green hydrogen, but we need a clear signal from Government that they are committed.”

The report sets out several key reasons why Ireland should incentivise the development of green hydrogen, notably:

1. Emissions reduction: Green hydrogen enables Ireland to reduce emissions in harder-to-decarbonise sectors, better utilising our vast renewable potential, and even creating new industries, such as green fertiliser production, with benefits for the carbon footprint of the agri-food sector.
2. Energy security: Green hydrogen can enable Ireland to meet a greater share of its energy requirements using indigenous renewables. This will reduce imports, increase our energy security, and reduce reliance on complex and often sensitive supply chains.
3. Job creation: A sustainable and competitive hydrogen industry could create up to 600 jobs by 2030 and a further 1,200 jobs in related employment.
4. System-level benefits: Used to provide electricity, green hydrogen can provide flexible, on-demand, power.

Dr Cian Desmond, Head of Innovation at GDG, and lead author of the report, said: “The potential for the domestic green hydrogen market is enormous. Ireland’s significant levels of wind energy generation can enable us to switch from fossil fuels to green hydrogen in sectors as diverse as heavy-goods vehicles, public transport, shipping, aviation, and fast reaction electricity generation to balance the grid.

“The construction by industry of the required wind farms and green hydrogen production process to realise this potential would represent an investment worth around €18.4 billion to the Irish economy, resulting in the creation of approximately 16,000 direct and a further 32,000 indirect jobs.”