Energy Prices and Ireland’s Future: October 2005 conference

Date: Wednesday 12 October 2005
Venue: Cultivate, Temple Bar, Dublin

Conference Announcement –
Energy Prices and Ireland’s Future

Without the cheap fossil energy that has fuelled economic growth since the industrial revolution our economies will change radically. What steps should be taken to ensure that Ireland can continue to thrive in a world where supplies of oil and gas are increasingly constrained if increasing energy demand is driving prices higher and higher?

How high will oil and gas prices go?

Will economic growth continue at its present pace?

How will changes in price affect the Irish economy and our way of life?

Will so many families be able to holiday abroad and run a car?

Who will the winners and losers be?

Will the property bubble burst?

What actions do the public and private sectors need to take and when?

This conference was held to present the results of a nine-month study by FEASTA under contract to the Environmental Protection Agency that sought to answer these questions. Topics covered included:

  • Overview of the current Irish energy situation
  • Oil and gas depletion – why is there a problem?
  • Scenario Planning – planning for uncertainty
  • What could Ireland be like in 10 years’ time under different energy scenarios?
  • How will the different business sectors adapt and who will the winners and losers be?

Speakers included representatives of the key components of Irish economic life who took part in the study.

Time: 09.30-17.15, Wednesday, October 12th, 2005
Venue: Cultivate, The Sustainable Living Centre, 15-19, Essex Street West, Old City Temple Bar, Dublin 8

See the study’s website, www.energyscenariosireland.com, for more information.

Note: Feasta is a forum for exchanging ideas. By posting on its site Feasta agrees that the ideas expressed by authors are worthy of consideration. However, there is no one ‘Feasta line’. The views of the article do not necessarily represent the views of all Feasta members.