The Cabinet has approved measures to cut energy use across Ireland’s public sector.
From September, all public bodies will be expected to take steps to reduce their energy consumption and costs through a raft of measures.
They include reducing the temperature in buildings to 19C, turning off heating two hours before they close, reducing electricity use at peak times and ensuring lights not in use for safety or security are off by 8pm.
It is hoped the Autumn Reduce Your Use energy efficiency campaign will deliver savings of 5%-10% overall and 15% in buildings.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication says, however, the requirements allow for consideration of the public service being delivered at locations and the suitability of temperature reductions in particular circumstances such as hospitals, which will not be required to reduce temperatures to 19 degrees.
A spokesperson said: “In 2020, the public sector achieved its ambitious target to attain a 33% energy efficiency improvement, compared to an overall economy target of 20%.
“There will now be a concerted effort across the public sector to continue this leadership role in reducing energy use.
“Public sector organisations will be supported with energy awareness resources, including online seminars, live webinars and one-to-one online energy clinics.
“As a result of the impact of the war in Ukraine, a number of EU Member States have already taken significant steps to implement emergency energy saving measures across their public bodies and economies.”
They also said Wednesday's memo is the first in a series of actions expected on energy efficiency, security and supply over the coming weeks.
On Friday, Minister Ryan will attend a meeting of EU Energy Ministers to discuss ways to tackle the surge in energy prices. Significant measures will be also be introduced in Budget 2023 to ensure that households and businesses receive help to meet their rising energy costs.
It comes as government announced joint gas and electricity emergency training exercises to get ready for any supply shortages.
While they say significant disruption is unlikely, repeated concerns have been raised about the possibility of blackouts.
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications say the purpose of the exercise on September 9 and 16 is to test a co-ordinated response to any major incidents across the electricity and gas networks.
While they have been carried out in the past, officials say they will also reflect “a broadening of the scenarios under consideration”.
Dr Muireann Lynch, a senior research officer at ESRI, recently warned no one can guarantee power shortages can be avoided.
She told us it's "unlikely" Britain will cut off gas to Ireland but in relation to blackouts on the electricity side added "nobody can say if that will happen or not".
"If we had no wind on the system I would say they would be likely but it may not happen if the wind blows at the right time."
Fears about blackouts as a result of increasing demand on the outdated system are not new.
But households are already facing a bleak winter because of rising fuel costs that sparked a coalition of 42 charities and civic groups to call for emergency measures including an increase in welfare payments.
Dr Lynch said people could help by trying "to reduce their energy usage, particularly at peak times, and reduce electricity use between 5-7 o'clock, particularly in the winter".
These emergency exercises to stress test the impact of any grid shortages will involve key stakeholders in the energy sector, including Gas Networks Ireland, EirGrid, ESB Networks, and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
A DECC spokesperson said: “Gas Networks Ireland and EirGrid have robust procedures in place to maintain security of gas and electricity supplies, and regularly participate in simulation exercises to test a range of potential scenarios.
“The role played by these bodies is critical, in ensuring a coordinated response to major incidents, in the rare event that they might occur.”
If such circumstances arose, Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications is the lead Government Department and would convene and chair the National Emergency Coordination Group in the National Energy Coordination Centre to coordinate the Government’s response to the energy emergency.
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