Ireland improved energy efficiency levels by 8.1% between 1995 and 2005, according to a new report by Sustainable Energy Ireland.
The report, Energy Efficiency in Ireland 2007, shows that industry led the way by recording a 15% improvement in energy efficiency during the period. The residential sector followed with an 8.2% improvement.
However, the report also found that efficiency levels could have been even better were it not for the 'behavioural effects of socio-economic changes'.
The report shows that a possible drop in energy demand was offset by higher levels of comfort in households and a rise in the average engine size of new cars.
Speaking at the publication of SEI's report, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, said that transport in Ireland is time and energy inefficient.
'It is clear that the economic growth which has transformed the country over the past ten years presents us with the additional challenge of how to secure the gains of energy efficiency to reduce our energy demand and resulting greenhouse gas emissions,' he said.
Chief executive of the SEI, David Taylor, was encouraged by the figures.
However, the transport sector's energy efficiency only improved by 0.8% over the ten-year period, leading Mr Taylor to claim that there is 'considerable opportunity and scope for improvement' in the area.
