Should Ireland Consider Nuclear? Energy West Explores One of the Country’s Biggest Energy Questions

As Ireland’s demand for electricity continues to rise, driven by AI, cloud computing, electrification and the transition to a low-carbon economy, one question is increasingly entering public discussion: should nuclear energy form part of Ireland’s future energy mix?

That was the focus of the latest Energy West Meetup, where attendees gathered for an informed and balanced debate examining the opportunities, challenges and realities of nuclear power in an Irish context.

The session opened with an introduction from Prof. James Glynn, setting the scene for a discussion that looked beyond headlines to explore the technical, economic and policy considerations shaping Ireland’s energy future.

A Timely Conversation

Ireland’s electricity system is undergoing rapid change. As more sectors become electrified and demand for digital infrastructure accelerates, ensuring a reliable, affordable and sustainable supply of electricity is becoming increasingly important.

Rather than asking whether nuclear power is simply “good” or “bad”, the debate explored a more practical question: what role, if any, could nuclear energy play alongside renewable technologies in supporting Ireland’s long-term energy security?

Topics discussed included:

Energy security and reducing reliance on imported fuels
Grid resilience and the challenges of balancing renewable generation
The growth of AI, data centres and electricity demand
Climate targets and decarbonisation
Public acceptance and planning considerations
Cost, timelines and long-term infrastructure investment

Expert Perspectives

The debate brought together two experienced speakers with different perspectives on the issue.

Denis Duff, a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with more than four decades of experience across the power generation sector, shared insights from a career spanning conventional power stations, renewable energy projects and international consultancy. Drawing on his experience in power system performance and his long-standing work advocating for the consideration of nuclear energy in Ireland, Denis outlined the potential role nuclear could play in delivering dependable, low-carbon electricity.

Offering an alternative viewpoint, Niall Murphy, engineer, software safety expert at Cisco, former Galway City Councillor and Green Party spokesperson on balanced regional development, discussed the challenges surrounding nuclear deployment while highlighting the importance of continuing Ireland’s transition towards a renewable-led energy system.

Together, the speakers examined the technical realities, policy implications and strategic decisions that will influence Ireland’s energy landscape over the coming decades.

Building Better Conversations

Energy West was created to encourage informed discussion around the technologies, infrastructure and policies shaping the future of energy in the West of Ireland. As the pace of change accelerates, creating opportunities for experts, businesses, researchers and the wider community to engage in evidence-based conversations has never been more important.

Whether attendees supported nuclear energy, opposed it, or were simply interested in learning more, the event provided a valuable opportunity to hear different viewpoints, challenge assumptions and ask questions in an open forum.

As Ireland continues to plan for a more resilient, affordable and sustainable energy system, conversations like these will play an important role in helping to shape future thinking.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for another engaging Energy West Meetup. We look forward to welcoming you to the next discussion