Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC) panel discussion on energy transition
2026/4/23
Moderator from Simply Blue Energy, Ms Val Cummins, Chief Impact Officer & Portfolio Director and panellists from NTR plc, Ms Rosheen McGuckian Chief Executive Officer (second from left), TAKEDA, Mr Graham Grogan, Head of Engineering (centre), Pinergy, Mr Enda Gunnell, Chief Executive Officer (second from right) and VIOTAS, Dr Paddy Finn, CEO and CTO (right)
On 23 April, the IJCC hosted a panel discussion in Dublin to explore how Ireland's energy leaders are creating opportunities from Ireland’s energy transition. At the outset, Ms Mary Honohan, Director of the IJCC, introduced the distinguished panellists from NTR plc, Pinergy, Takeda and VIOTAS. After short presentations from each panellist, they joined the panel discussion, and there were also questions from the floor.
From the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu delivered a few words at the opening to pay tribute to the distinguished speakers.
The Embassy of Japan expresses its gratitude to the IJCC for organising the enlightening panel discussion, and it will continue to work closely with them to further enhance economic relations between Japan and Ireland in the area of energy security and climate change through business.
【Ambassador MIYAGAWA's remarks】
Good evening, everyone.
Thank you very much for this opportunity to say a few words. Time truly flies. My last visit to Dublin was from 6 to 10 November 2006, nearly 19 years before my return to Ireland as Ambassador of Japan in November 2025.
At that time, I was one of eight members of an In-Depth Review Team organised by the International Energy Agency. Thanks to the cooperation and support of the many people we met in Dublin, we were able to produce an energy review report on Ireland of approximately 150 pages.
Looking back at the report, I am struck by how many of the Team’s recommendations remain relevant today—not only for Ireland, but also for many other countries, including Japan. These include issues such as market reform, reducing dependence on oil, and integrating renewable energy into the grid.
This evening, I look forward to hearing the perspectives of the distinguished speakers, as well as contributions from the floor.
Over the past two decades, many developments have affected global energy security, and Japan is no exception. In 2011, we experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, which led to a fundamental reassessment of our energy strategy. Since then, we have maintained only those nuclear power plants that have passed the most stringent safety standards.
In light of the recent rise in energy prices driven by the situation in the Middle East, Ireland, Japan, and many other countries are once again stepping up efforts—both to manage their economies in the short term and to diversify their energy mix and sources of supply.
I firmly believe that Ireland, at the western edge of the Eurasian continent, and Japan, at its eastern edge, can further strengthen cooperation in advancing energy security and addressing climate change together—both now and in the years ahead.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
From the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu delivered a few words at the opening to pay tribute to the distinguished speakers.
The Embassy of Japan expresses its gratitude to the IJCC for organising the enlightening panel discussion, and it will continue to work closely with them to further enhance economic relations between Japan and Ireland in the area of energy security and climate change through business.
【Ambassador MIYAGAWA's remarks】
Good evening, everyone.
Thank you very much for this opportunity to say a few words. Time truly flies. My last visit to Dublin was from 6 to 10 November 2006, nearly 19 years before my return to Ireland as Ambassador of Japan in November 2025.
At that time, I was one of eight members of an In-Depth Review Team organised by the International Energy Agency. Thanks to the cooperation and support of the many people we met in Dublin, we were able to produce an energy review report on Ireland of approximately 150 pages.
Looking back at the report, I am struck by how many of the Team’s recommendations remain relevant today—not only for Ireland, but also for many other countries, including Japan. These include issues such as market reform, reducing dependence on oil, and integrating renewable energy into the grid.
This evening, I look forward to hearing the perspectives of the distinguished speakers, as well as contributions from the floor.
Over the past two decades, many developments have affected global energy security, and Japan is no exception. In 2011, we experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, which led to a fundamental reassessment of our energy strategy. Since then, we have maintained only those nuclear power plants that have passed the most stringent safety standards.
In light of the recent rise in energy prices driven by the situation in the Middle East, Ireland, Japan, and many other countries are once again stepping up efforts—both to manage their economies in the short term and to diversify their energy mix and sources of supply.
I firmly believe that Ireland, at the western edge of the Eurasian continent, and Japan, at its eastern edge, can further strengthen cooperation in advancing energy security and addressing climate change together—both now and in the years ahead.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.