Ireland’s energy path to 2020 is pre-determined by investments already made and those projects that are in progress. Investments made in the period just after 2020 will determine Ireland’s energy path to 2050. This is against a backdrop of unprecedented uncertainty and a period that is becoming increasingly chaotic. The political upheaval seen across the world has impacted directly on the energy sector. Closer to home, Brexit threatens to disrupt the Irish economy and has increased the risks around security of supply, particularly for natural gas. Renewable energy is also at an inflection point as we move beyond onshore wind, which has delivered the bulk of renewables onto the electricity system to date and will continue to have a major role to 2020.

Energy Ireland conference


This year’s Energy Ireland conference will look at the drivers of the changes in the energy sector, and the drivers of change over the period to 2020 and beyond. The conference takes place in Dublin’s Croke Park on 13 and 14 June. Energy Ireland, now in its 21st year, is Ireland’s largest and longest-established energy conference, attended every year by all the key players in the Irish energy sector, as well as many from further afield who maintain an interest in how the energy sector in Ireland is developing. The two-day conference will examine important themes by way of an expert panel of speakers, including local industry leaders, policy-makers and regulators. In addition, the conference regularly attracts high-level international speakers who look at major energy issues in the wider European or global context. It’s a one-stop shop for information gathering, networking and business development. 2017: a year of transition
  • Impact of Brexit on the energy sector
  • The new electricity market structures
  • Investing in Ireland’s energy
  • Infrastructure post 2020
  • European energy policy and the winter package
  • Energy regulation in uncertain times
  • Future outlook for wind energy
  • Future supports for renewable energy
  • Natural gas infrastructure and market outlook
  • Energy and climate policy outlook
Day 1 of the conference will open with a plenary session looking at the future of Irish energy. Delegates will hear from an expert panel of speakers from Irish energy industry leaders including International Energy Agency, ESB, Bord Gáis Energy and SSE Airtricity.

Conference themes


Other sessions in Day 1 will look to explore Ireland’s energy future whilst parallel sessions in the afternoon will discuss investing in energy infrastructure in uncertain times and disruption to energy markets. Delegates on Day 1 will also hear from Energy Minister Denis Naughten, TD. The day will conclude with a roundtable discussion on how Brexit will impact on Irish Energy. Delegates attending Day 2 of Energy Ireland have the option of attending one of two parallel sessions, either looking at low-carbon energy or energy security, which will focus on natural gas supply to Ireland and the future of the electricity network on the island. This will be followed by a session looking at digital energy, which is becoming increasingly prevalent as energy networks become smarter. This year’s conference will have a panel of visiting international experts including:
  • European energy and climate policy: Beyond the targets Marie Donnelly, former director, DG Energy, European Commission
  • Global market outlook for solar energy Oliver Schäfer, president, SolarPower Europe
  • Energy Democracy: German’s energiewende to renewables Arne Jungjohann, author of Energy Democracy
  • Four possible futures for the Swedish energy system Åsa Tynell, project manager, Swedish Energy Agency
  • Building an effective brand in energy markets Friðrik Larsen, CEO, LarsEn Energy Branding and University of Iceland
Local energy sector leaders addressing the conference include:
  • Pat O’Doherty, chief executive, ESB
  • Dave Kirwan, chief operating officer, Bord Gáis Energy
  • Paul McGowan, chair, Commission for Energy Regulation
  • Jenny Pyper, chief executive, Utility Regulator Northern Ireland
  • Stephen Wheeler, managing director, SSE Airtricity
  • Fintan Slye, chief executive, EirGrid plc
  • Jim Gannon, CEO, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
  • Cormac O’Rourke, director of corporate finance, Goodbody
  • Conor Minogue, senior executive, Energy Policy, Ibec
  • Owen Wilson, chief executive, Electricity Association of Ireland
  • Rodney Doyle, CIO, EirGrid plc
  • Adrian Flewitt, vice president, Technical Solutions, EMEA & AP, Sensus

Networking opportunity and exhibition


While there will be much knowledge disseminated in the formal conference sessions, Energy Ireland is about more than just policy discussion. The conference brings together the key movers and shakers in Irish energy affording them the opportunity to network and socialise as well as engage in the informal discussions that can ultimately lead to real business development. As a two day, multi-stream conference, Energy Ireland is an excellent platform for companies wishing to profile their goods and services to a key audience of energy sector decision-makers. A physical presence by way of exhibition at the conference provides a valuable opportunity for making contacts, networking and lobbying. There are a limited number of high-quality exhibition spaces still available at this year’s conference. Nine reasons you should book your place now!
  1. Ireland’s major annual energy conference – all key players attend;
  2. Excellent networking and business development opportunities;
  3. Hear from Ireland’s energy leaders: DCCAE, CER, ESB, Bord Gáis Energy, SSE, SEAI, Gas Networks Ireland, EirGrid, Bord na Móna;
  4. High profile visiting experts presenting external perspectives;
  5. In-depth workshops and briefings;
  6. Opportunity to hear all the latest developments in Irish energy in one place;
  7. Lively exhibition area;
  8. Over 300 delegates attend across two days;
  9. Opportunities for Q&A and direct engagement with speakers.
For more information on Energy Ireland or to view the full conference programme go to the website: www.energyireland.ie. To book a place at the conference, call us on +353 (0)1 661 3755.