It is madness that the Government refuses to adopt solar energy on a large scale to protect consumers from price shocks in the energy market, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore said:
“Wholesale energy prices are up 19% in just a month as war raged in the Middle East, yet the Government refuses to adopt viable solutions like solar power to ease costs.
“Ireland relies on natural gas for approximately half of its energy need, leaving us highly exposed to price shocks that are out of our control, as was observed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The largely untapped potential of solar power to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and tackle soaring energy costs continues to be ignored by Government. Speaking this weekend, Tánaiste Simon Harris outlined a suite of once-off energy measures the Coalition is exploring, but failed to mention solar as a long-term, viable alternative for our energy security and affordability.
“Earlier this month, the Dáil debated a Social Democrats’ motion calling on the Government to adopt our ‘Solar for All’ plan. Our proposal includes a doubling of grants for solar installation to €3,600, and the inclusion of solar panels in the ‘Warmer Homes Scheme’ to help families cut electricity costs by an average of €450 a year.
“Up to a million homes in Ireland are deemed suitable for solar panels and a nationwide installation programme could be rolled out relatively quickly. This is something we have been calling for since 2022, when the outbreak of war in Ukraine caused a major international energy shock.
“However, the Government continues to turn a blind eye to this solution, despite evidence that wholesale energy costs are skyrocketing – and it is the consumer who bears the brunt of the fallout.
“Earlier this month, I asked the Government for an update on the CRU’s investigation into price gouging in the energy market, which was requested last November. There is still no sign of a report or even details as to what stage the investigation is at, all the while customers continue to suffer eyewatering costs.
“It’s time the Government looks to solutions like solar to insulate us from price shocks in the international energy market, and delivers the report of the CRU’s investigation into gouging as soon as possible.”
April 28th, 2026