Many countries have had underlying weaknesses in their energy supply situation highlighted in recent years by shortages and disruption. In the Republic of Ireland, however, the adverse effects of these have been considerably exacerbated by the high rate of growth in the national economy, and consequently in energy demand, which prevailed throughout the second half of the past decade. Almost inevitably, one result of this has been a preoccupation with short-term supply problems relating either to external political or internal industrial difficulties. A neglect of long-term planning for future energy supplies has been apparent, a failure in policy sharply criticised by the International Energy Agency (O.E.C.D., 1978). Of particular concern has been the extent to which growth in energy demand has been met by increased imports of oil, in most years accounting for 70-80% of the energy market (EEC Commission, 1978). Such a high level of dependence is obviously undesirable both in the short and long term.