However, electricity demand continues to grow faster than the development of renewables with fossil fuels accounting for over 81% of Ireland’s primary energy supply in 2024. Against this background, harnessing renewable gases like green hydrogen could prove to be gamechanger in decarbonising multiple sectors especially as Ireland pursues its legally binding goal of a climate-neutral economy by 2050.
Significance of green hydrogen
Green hydrogen is a zero-emission gas produced through electrolysis, which is a process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity from wind or solar power. Unlike grey hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas and emits carbon dioxide, green hydrogen generates no greenhouse gas emissions during production.This makes it an essential component of the decarbonisation puzzle, especially for sectors that are difficult to electrify. Heavy industry, long-haul transport, and shipping could all transition away from fossil fuels through the adoption of green hydrogen.
Given Ireland’s vast renewable energy resources, especially its offshore wind potential, the country is well positioned to become a hub for green hydrogen production. It could serve as a substitute for fossil fuels in many hard-to-decarbonise sectors where direct electrification is not feasible.
Beyond reducing emissions, green hydrogen can enhance Ireland’s energy security, complement other renewable resources, and create potential export market opportunities. It will play a vital role in stabilising the renewable energy system, acting as a backup when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining.
Ireland’s green hydrogen strategy: Goals and roadmap
In 2023, Ireland launched its National Hydrogen Strategy, outlining 21 short-term actions to scale up green hydrogen production. Among key actions include establishing an early innovation fund, develop a national certification scheme for end users, and support the rollout of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles and refuelling infrastructure in line with EU requirements under the recast Renewable Energy Directive and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation.Before 2030, hydrogen production will target grid-connected electrolysis from surplus renewables, helping meet EU targets in specific end-use sectors such as transport.
Under the Climate Action Plan, Ireland aims to achieve at least 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2030, with an additional 2GW earmarked for the production of green hydrogen. This will help provide greater certainty for investors and create the scales needed to enable greater infrastructure deployment.
Looking further ahead, green hydrogen will be central to Ireland’s long-term vision of reaching 20GW of offshore renewable energy by 2040, and at least by 37GW by 2050.
According to a Hydrogen Mobility Ireland report, phasing in hydrogen in the road, rail, aviation and maritime sectors could attract €6 billion worth of investment, create over 600 long term jobs, and cut carbon transport emissions by 260,000 tonnes annually.
Challenges facing green hydrogen
While green hydrogen offers immense promise, it remains a nascent technology with uncertainty around future costs, potential end-users and the infrastructure and supply chains needed to deliver on it. The National Hydrogen Strategy seeks to reduce these uncertainties by providing a long-term vision and drive investment from the private sector.Green hydrogen is also relatively expensive and less energy-efficient compared to the direct use of the renewable electricity. Energy losses occur during the conversion process and, therefore, for many end-use sectors, direct electrification may offer a cheaper and more energy-efficient option. Consequently, green hydrogen will likely be prioritised for sectors considered hard to decarbonise such as manufacturing and heavy transport.
Another challenge is the availability of renewable energy for hydrogen production. While Ireland possesses substantial onshore and offshore wind potential, it must expand renewable generation capacity to ensure sufficient supply for both domestic needs and hydrogen exports.
Practical case studies
Although Ireland’s hydrogen industry is still in its infancy, momentum is growing, with several pilot projects already underway across the country.In 2021, Ireland’s National Transport Authority deployed three double-decker buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells and electric motors on a route connecting Dublin to Rataoth in County Meath, operated by Bus Eireann. By the end of the year, the three buses collectively completed more than 40,000km using just over 2,300 kg of hydrogen. In comparison, diesel buses would have consumed approximately 13,000 litres of fuel to cover the same distance on identical routes.
In 2024, Microsoft partnered with ESB on a pilot project to power its data centre building in Dublin using green hydrogen. The project utilised zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells to deliver up to 250kW of clean energy to the tech giant’s Dublin campus over an eight-week period – showcasing Microsoft’s commitment is bringing to the data centre sector to ensure the sustainability of its AI and cloud infrastructure.
Bord na Móna is developing a new 2MW pilot scale hydrogen electrolysis plant at its wind farm in Mountlucas, County Offaly. Once operational, the plant will use renewable energy from the Mountlucas wind farm to generate over 200,000kg of green hydrogen annually.
FAQs: Green hydrogen in Ireland
What is green hydrogen?Green hydrogen is produced using renewable electricity (like wind or solar) to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, generating zero carbon emissions.
What is Ireland’s green hydrogen strategy?
Ireland’s National Hydrogen Strategy aims to scale green hydrogen production, focusing on renewable integration, heavy transport, and industrial use.
Is hydrogen available in Ireland?
Hydrogen is available only in pilot projects for transport and industry, but large-scale production is expected to ramp up after 2030.