Ireland’s energy future may hinge on tough choices

binding push to slash emissions, the Republic must weigh all its options — even those once considered off-limits. That’s the message from EirGrid chairman Brendan Tuohy, who warns that without a broader mix of low-carbon energy sources, Ireland risks falling behind in attracting global investment.

While renewables like wind and solar remain central to the transition, their intermittent nature creates reliability gaps. Tuohy suggests that to remain competitive, Ireland must be open to technologies used elsewhere, including nuclear energy, which remains banned under current legislation. Small modular reactors, already under debate, could be part of a future-proofed energy mix.

EirGrid’s infrastructure push, including 16 grid projects and the landmark Celtic Interconnector with France, is a step toward resilience. But Tuohy insists the real advantage will come from widening the range of tools in Ireland’s decarbonisation toolkit — before global competitiveness slips away.

Read the full article for a deeper look into what’s at stake.