Ireland one of most energy-dependent countries

According to research conducted by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, Ireland has the fourth-highest energy dependence rate in Europe, the Irish Post reports.

The dependency rate presents a country’s net imports of energy as a percentage of its gross energy consumption.

While Denmark produced more energy than it consumed in 2006 – with a score of -37% – Ireland was rated as being 91% dependent.

However, average energy production across the continent decreased by 2.3%, while Irish production only fell by 1.2%.

Nuclear production in Europe accounted for 29% of all energy, with solid fuels, gas, renewables and crude oil accounting for 22%, 20%, 15% and 14% respectively.

A feasibility study was recently launched to look into the possibility of an interconnected wind and wave energy grid between Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.