This page describes the energy types for which public bodies can report energy consumption data. They are grouped into nine categories on the choose energy types data input screen:
For additional guidance on reporting energy consumption, see energy & CO2, thermal consumption, transport consumption and electricity consumption.
There are two options for reporting electricity that is purchased from the public electricity system (grid electricity): ‘MPRN electricity’ and ‘Non-MPRN electricity’. There are also several other electricity energy types for different forms of electricity generation, and for charging electric vehicles.
The easiest way to report your electricity consumption is to enter and validate your MPRNs. An MPRN or meter point reference number is a unique 11-digit number assigned to every electricity connection and meter in the country.
MPRN validation refers to the annual process whereby your organisation confirms that the MPRN is a valid MPRN, that some or all of the electricity consumption associated with the MPRN is attributable to your organisation and that your organisation has consent for ESBN Networks to disclose consumption data for the MPRN to SEAI.
All you have to do is enter your MPRNs once and then validate them each year. The M&R system then automatically sources the electricity consumption data directly from the meter operator (ESB Networks). For the vast majority of organisations reporting, this is the best option for reporting electricity consumption. If your meter has not been read for a while, you may wish to submit a meter reading to ESB Networks before the end of the calendar year. By doing so, the electricity consumption data provided to the M&R system will more accurately reflect your organisation's usage for the year.
If you add a new MPRN to the system, SEAI can only access historical consumption data for it for the reporting year and for the previous six years. If your organisation consumed electricity via that MPRN before this threshold, then SEAI cannot access the data and you will need to self-report your electricity consumption for that MPRN for the relevant year(s). (New = an MPRN that is newly added to the system. The MPRN and metered connection itself could be longstanding. The reporting year is the most recently completed calendar year for which your organisation is expected to report data to SEAI.)
If SEAI previously accessed historical consumption data for a MPRN, that data will remain in the M&R system indefinitely, e.g. if SEAI accessed consumption data in 2015 for the year 2009, then that 2009 consumption data will be available via the M&R system indefinitely.
As an alternative to reporting and validating MPRNs, you can self-report a single annual value for non-MPRN electricity for a year. The value reported should account for all electricity consumption not reported via MPRN(s). Be careful not to double count your consumption, i.e. do not validate MPRNs and self-report for the same usage.
You can choose to self-report any electricity consumption. However, there are also circumstances in which you should self-report:
You can work out your consumption by recording meter readings or by reviewing your supplier bills. You may also be able to access consumption data from an online energy bill tool provided by your electricity supplier.
Report the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of non-MPRN electricity consumed by your organisation each year.
This section references several MPRN validation issues, all of which are described in MPRNs & GPRNs.
This is renewable electricity (RE) generated onsite from solar PV systems that are within the meter boundary of a facility. These generation systems supply (part of) their electricity output directly to your facility without going through an MPRN, i.e. without going through a meter connected to the public electricity system. Some of the output may also be exported to the public electricity system.
Report the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity generated by such solar PV system(s) each year. The amount reported should include any amounts that are generated by onsite solar PV and exported to the public electricity system.
For guidance the meter boundary and onsite versus offsite RE generation, see ‘renewable electricity (RE) generation’ in electricity consumption.
This is renewable electricity (RE) generated onsite from small wind energy systems that are within the meter boundary of a facility. These generation systems supply (part of) their electricity output directly to your facility without going through an MPRN, i.e. without going through a meter connected to the public electricity system. Some of the output may also be exported to the public electricity system.
Report the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity generated by such wind energy system(s) each year. The amount reported should include any amounts that are generated by onsite wind and exported to the public electricity system.
For guidance on the meter boundary and onsite versus offsite RE generation, see ‘renewable electricity (RE) generation’ in electricity consumption.
This is renewable electricity (RE) generated onsite from non-fuel systems other than solar PV or wind, e.g. small hydro systems. These generation systems supply (part of) their electricity output directly to your facility without going through an MPRN, i.e. without going through a meter connected to the public electricity system. Some of the output may also be exported to the public electricity system.
Report the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity generated by such wind energy system(s) each year. The amount reported should include any amounts that are generated by such systems and exported to the public electricity system.
For guidance on the meter boundary and onsite versus offsite RE generation, see ‘renewable electricity (RE) generation’ in electricity consumption. For guidance on fuel-based generation, see ‘fuel-based electricity generation’ in electricity consumption.
Any electricity used to charge vehicles from on-street charge stations or from fast chargers in service stations must be reported, if the relevant transport activity is within the scope of your organisation's reportable consumption.
Report the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity used for offsite charging of EVs each year.
Note that electricity used for charging of EVs from an electricity connection that is attributable to your organisation should not be included here.
For additional guidance, see ‘electric vehicles’ in electricity consumption.
Landfill gas generation is electricity generated from the combustion of the gases produced from decomposing waste in landfills. Some local authorities and other public bodies own or operate such facilities.
Report the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity generated by any landfill gas facilities that were commissioned up to 31 December 2020. Electricity generated from facilities commissioned after 2020 must not be reported.
For additional guidance, see ‘landfill gas generation’ in electricity consumption.
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is composed mainly of methane. It is piped through the national gas transmission and distribution network directly to end users. There are two options for reporting natural gas consumption: ‘GPRN natural gas’ and ‘Non-GPRN natural gas’.
The easiest way to report your natural gas consumption is to enter and validate your GPRNs. A GPRN or a gas point registration number is a unique reference number assigned to every gas point on the natural gas network. GPRNs have up to 7 digits.
GPRN validation refers to the annual process whereby your organisation confirms that the GPRN is a valid GPRN, that some or all of the gas consumption associated with the GPRN is attributable to your organisation and that your organisation has consent for Gas Networks Ireland to disclose consumption data for the GPRN to SEAI.
All you have to do is enter your GPRNs once and then validate them each year. The M&R system then automatically sources the natural gas consumption data directly from the meter operator (Gas Networks Ireland). For the vast majority of organisations reporting, this is the best option for reporting natural gas consumption. If your meter has not been read for a while, you may wish to submit a meter reading to Gas Networks Ireland before the end of the calendar year. By doing so, the gas consumption data provided to the M&R system will more accurately reflect your organisation's usage for the year.
If you add a new GPRN to the system, SEAI can only access historical consumption data for it for the reporting year and for the previous six years. If your organisation consumed natural gas via that GPRN before this threshold, then SEAI cannot access the data and you will need to self-report your natural gas consumption for that GPRN for the relevant year(s). (New = a GPRN that is newly added to the system. The GPRN and metered connection itself could be longstanding. The reporting year is the most recently completed calendar year for which your organisation is expected to report data to SEAI.)
If SEAI previously accessed historical consumption data for a GPRN, that data will remain in the M&R system indefinitely, e.g. if SEAI accessed consumption data in 2015 for the year 2009, then that 2009 consumption data will be available via the M&R system indefinitely.
As an alternative to reporting and validating GPRNs, you can self-report a single annual value for non-GPRN natural gas for a year. The value reported should account for all natural gas consumption not reported via GPRN(s). Be careful not to double count your consumption, i.e. do not validate GPRNs and self-report for the same usage.
You can choose to self-report any natural gas consumption. However, there are also circumstances in which you should self-report:
You can work out your consumption by recording meter readings or by reviewing your supplier bills. You may also be able to access consumption data from an online energy bill tool provided by your natural gas supplier.
Report the kilowatt-hours (kWh), on a gross calorific value basis, of non-GPRN natural gas consumed by your organisation each year.
This section references several MPRN validation issues, all of which are described in MPRNs & GPRNs.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a fossil fuel manufactured in oil and gas processing facilities. It consists of propane and/or butane gases. It is stored under pressure as a liquid in cylinders or bulk tanks and is delivered to end users in small cylinders (sold in kilogrammes) or in tankers from which it is transferred to bulk tanks onsite (sold in litres). It is typically used in boilers (for space and water heating) and for cooking.
For LPG stored in bulk tanks, the best way to report LPG is by taking readings from the meter. If you don’t have a meter or sufficient meter readings you should estimate the consumption from your LPG bills. Remember that the billed quantities will not necessarily match your consumption in a specific year because your tanks could have different levels at the start and end of the year. Only the fuel consumed in each calendar year should be reported.
You should keep a record of LPG deliveries over time. This will assist you to better understand how LPG consumption changes on a monthly basis throughout the year and you will be able to make progressively better estimates of how much was consumed between deliveries.
Report the litres of LPG consumed by your organisation each year.
LPG can also be delivered to end users in small cylinders. The quantity of LPG stored in cylinders is written on the cylinders in kilogrammes. Invoices (bills) should also have this information. Multiplying this by the total number cylinders used will give you the total weight used in a year in kilogrammes.
Report the kilogrammes of LPG consumed by your organisation each year.
BioLPG is propane manufactured from renewable feedstocks. It is a renewable form of LPG and is often sold as a blended mixture with conventional (fossil) LPG. Your supply documentation should indicate the blend rate.
Report the litres of bioLPG blend consumed by your organisation each year and the percentage of bioLPG in the blend. The litre value reported should represent the total number of litres of bioLPG and (fossil) LPG consumed as a blend. The percentage could range from 0% (0% bio, 100% fossil) to 100% (100% bio, 0% fossil).
You must report all quantities of bioLPG in accordance with the M&R guidance on reporting sustainable bioenergy.
Different types of heating oil are used in the public sector. However, the vast majority of heating oil used by public bodies is either kerosene or gasoil - see identifying which heating oil you use.
Kerosene is also known as paraffin or 28-second heating oil. It is typically used in boilers for space and water heating, and is reddish in colour.
Report the litres of kerosene consumed by your organisation each year.
Gasoil is also known as marked gasoil, distillate, 35-second heating oil, green diesel or marked diesel. It is typically used in boilers for space and water heating, and is dyed green in colour. However, it can also be used in vehicles (see marked diesel below).
Report the litres of gasoil consumed by your organisation each year.
Light, medium and heavy fuel oils are a range of heavier, higher viscosity heating oils typically only used in very large ‘industrial’ boilers. They correspond to BS 2869 classes E, F and G respectively. They have minimum storage temperatures slightly above ambient.
Report the litres of light, medium and heavy fuel oils consumed by your organisation each year.
Solid fossil fuels refer to various forms of solid material that can be burned to release energy. The vast majority of solid fuels are sold in tonnes or kilogrammes. As solid fuels cannot be metered in the same way that liquids or gases can, you will almost certainly have to estimate your consumption over the year from your bills. Very few public bodies use solid fossil fuels.
Coal is a fuel type used in in some older solid fuel boilers for space and water heating, and in open fires. It is sold by weight.
Report the tonnes of coal consumed by your organisation each year.
Peat briquettes are a manufactured product made from compressed dried peat. They are typically used in open fires or small solid fuel boilers (domestic scale). They are sold in bales (1 bale = 12.6 kg = 0.0126 tonne).
Report the tonnes of peat briquettes consumed by your organisation each year.
Wood chips are a renewable fuel comprising small pieces of wood that can be used in boilers for space and water heating. Wood chips are available in several different specifications. The key parameter in specifying wood chip supplies is the moisture content: the higher the moisture content, the less energy content per unit weight. They are sold by weight and can have moisture contents of between 30-60%, depending on the source of the chips and the duration and nature of their storage prior to use. Typical moisture content is 35%.
There are two options for reporting wood chips on the M&R system:
You must report all quantities of wood chips in accordance with the M&R guidance on reporting sustainable bioenergy.
Wood pellets are a manufactured product comprising wood shavings and sawdust that have been formed into pellets. They are sold by weight and typically used for heating in boilers and stoves.
Report the tonnes of wood pellets consumed by your organisation each year.
You must report all quantities of wood pellets in accordance with the M&R guidance on reporting sustainable bioenergy.
Wood briquettes / wood logs are typically used in some older solid fuel boilers for space and water heating as well as in open fires. Wood briquettes are a manufactured product made by compressing wood particles.
Report the tonnes of wood briquettes consumed by your organisation each year.
You must report all quantities of wood briquettes in accordance with the M&R guidance on reporting sustainable bioenergy.
Other solid biomass is a generic energy type that can be reported via M&R. It can be used to report biomass consumption that does not correspond to any of the specific biomass energy types reportable via M&R.
Report the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of other solid biomass consumed by your organisation each year.
You must report all quantities of other solid biomass in accordance with the M&R guidance on reporting sustainable bioenergy.
District heating refers to systems for distributing heat through insulated pipes in the form of hot water (sometimes steam). The heat is generated from one or more heat source, which can include boilers (fossil or renewable), CHP systems, heat pumps or geothermal systems. The hot water or steam is passed through heat exchangers to provide hot water and space heating in buildings. The way you report district heating consumption depends on the configuration of the district heating network. The overall reporting principle is that the primary energy (e.g. biomass, gas) and the distributed heat energy should not be double counted.
If your organisation imports heat ‘over the fence’ from a district heating network, it should be reported as 'district heat imported'.
Report the kWh of district heat imported by your organisation each year.
If your organisation exports heat ‘over the fence’ to a district heating network, it should be reported as 'district heat exported'.
Report the kWh of district heat exported by your organisation each year.
Biogas is a form of renewable energy produced from organic matter through a biological process. It is typically derived from anaerobic digestion or fermentation processes and can be produced from a diverse range of organic feedstocks including biomass, sewage, agricultural waste, certain industrial wastes (e.g. from the food & beverage manufacturing sector) and municipal waste.
Report the kWh of biogas consumed by your organisation each year.
Solar thermal technology converts the sun's energy into useful heat energy.
If your organisation uses these systems and you can work out how much energy they provide (many are unmetered), report the kWh of solar thermal energy consumed by your organisation each year.
Marked diesel is also referred to as gasoil. In transport applications, it is typically used in mobile plant, construction machinery, agricultural machinery and marine engines. Note that diesel or gasoil consumed for thermal applications should be reported as gasoil.
Report the litres of marked diesel consumed by your organisation each year.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is methane stored at high pressure. CNG is used for some transport applications in place of petrol, diesel or LPG.
Report the kilogrammes of CNG consumed by your organisation each year. Be careful not to double count your consumption, i.e. do not self report the CNG if it is dispensed from an onsite fuelling facility supplied through one of the GPRNs that you have also validated on the system.
Jet kerosene, which is also known as jet fuel, is used for aviation gas turbine engines (turbofans, turboprops and jets). It has particular specifications which are established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Report the litres of jet kerosene consumed by your organisation each year.
Aviation gasoline (AVGAS) is motor gasoline that has been processed especially for use in aviation reciprocating engines.
Report the litres of aviation gasoline consumed by your organisation each year.
Marine gasoil, or marked diesel, is the same as gasoil but is different from marine diesel oil. The vast majority of marine engines use marine gasoil.
Report the litres of marine gasoil consumed by your organisation each year.
Road diesel is the diesel used in nearly all diesel-engined road vehicles. It is a blend of fossil fuel ('road diesel (fossil)') and small quantities of biodiesel. It is clear in colour.
Report the litres of road diesel (standard spec) consumed by your organisation each year.
Note that the system automatically calculates the proportions of this consumption that are fossil and biodiesel, on the basis blend rates calculated for each year from statistical data available from the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.
Petrol refers to the petrol used in nearly all petrol-engined road vehicles, in some mobile plant and equipment, and in some marine engines. It is a blend of fossil fuel ('petrol (fossil)', which is also known as gasoline) and small quantities of bioethanol. It is clear in colour.
Report the litres of petrol consumed by your organisation each year.
Note that the system automatically calculates the proportions of this consumption that are fossil and bioethanol, on the basis blend rates calculated for each year from statistical data available from the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.
Biodiesel is a biofuel produced from vegetable or animal oils, of diesel quality. Examples of biodiesels include those based on FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) and derived from pure plant oil (PPO), used cooking oil (UCO), and tallow. Vehicles can run on pure biodiesel but it is typically part of a blended product with fossil diesel. The percentage of the blend can vary.
Report the litres of biodiesel blend consumed by your organisation each year and the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. The litre value reported should represent the total number of litres of biodiesel and fossil diesel consumed as a blend. The percentage could range from 0% (0% bio, 100% fossil) to 100% (100% bio, 0% fossil).
If the biodiesel in your blend is hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), you should report the consumption as HVO blend (below) instead of biodiesel blend.
You must report all quantities of biodiesel in accordance with the M&R guidance on reporting sustainable bioenergy.
Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a form of biodiesel that is chemically identical to diesel. It can be manufactured from renewable feedstocks and used for heat and transport. Vehicles can run on pure HVO but it is typically sold as blended product with fossil diesel. The percentage of the blend can vary.
Report the litres of HVO blend consumed by your organisation each year and the percentage of HVO in the blend. The litre value reported should represent the total number of litres of HVO and fossil diesel consumed as a blend. The percentage could range from 0% (0% bio, 100% fossil) to 100% (100% bio, 0% fossil).
You must report all quantities of HVO in accordance with the M&R guidance on reporting sustainable bioenergy.
There are three other transport fuels not listed above that are referenced in the M&R calculations and data reports, but for which you cannot directly report consumption data. This is because the consumption values are calculated from values reported by you for other energy types that are listed above.