Ireland 4th Most Energy Import-Dependent in EU, Relies 80% on Imports in 2024
Ireland is the EU's fourth most energy import-dependent economy, relying on imports for 80% of its energy in 2024, with 81% from fossil fuels. The CSO reports 100% imported oil met 60% of needs. Construction was the most extractive sector in 2023, accounting for 55% of raw material extraction.
Ireland relies on imports for 80% of its energy requirements, making it the fourth most import-dependent economy in the European Union, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). In 2024, the Republic also depended on fossil fuels for 81% of its energy generation.
Oil, 100% imported, met 60% of the economy’s energy needs, followed by natural gas at 36%. Coal accounted for 2% and peat for 1%. Transport fuels, primarily for aviation, and natural gas constituted three-quarters of energy consumed. Ireland typically holds about 90 days of oil stocks, with 86 days of EU-based stocks in September 2025.
The CSO also reported that the Irish construction industry was the most environmentally extractive sector in 2023, accounting for 55% of raw materials derived from the Irish environment. Agriculture made up 44%. Domestic extraction increased over a fifth between 2014 and 2023 to 121 million tonnes, largely due to construction materials.