2/10/03 Boost for wind energy industry will have positive economic and environmental impacts on Ireland
Media Information 26 February 2003
Boost for wind energy industry will have positive economic and environmental impacts on Ireland
- Renewable Energy Information Office
The announcement that Irish wind energy resources are to receive support for further development, is a major economic and environmental boost for Ireland.
That is according to Paul Kellett of Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Renewable Energy Information Office (REIO) who was speaking following the announcement by Dermot Ahern T.D., Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, that support is being made available for the creation of 578 MW's of additional electricity generation, largely from wind energy.
The support is being made through the Government’s Alternative Energy Requirement Programme (AER).
Paul Kellett (REIO Technical Manager) said: “The Minister’s announcement gives the green light to a range of countrywide renewable energy projects in wind, biomass and hydro. As a result, significant investment opportunities exist and will continue to emerge for renewable energy developers and suppliers in the short term. The investment opportunities are estimated to be worth over €500 million in the next three years”.
Ireland has vast sources of clean renewable energy, having Europe’s best wind regime and being home to the best growing conditions for wood in Europe. Sadly, at the moment these eco-friendly sources of energy supply just 2% of Ireland’s energy requirement, well below the EU average, which will be 12% by 2010.
Mr. Kellett said, “The additional 578 MW’s of new green power to be built by 2005 will increase the total energy from new renewable resources in Ireland to over 730 MWs, up from 157 MW at the end 2002. In total, this is capable of generating power for over 500,000 homes – all of Munster.”
Sustainable Energy Ireland, formerly the Irish Energy Centre, was established on May 1st 2002 as a statutory authority charged with promoting and assisting the development of sustainable energy. It is funded by Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 with programmes part financed by the European Union.
The Renewable Energy Information Office (REIO) one of Europe’s leading renewable energy agencies is the national service of Sustainable Energy Ireland, established to promote the use of renewable energy resources and provides expert independent advice and information on financial, social and technical issues relating to renewable energy development.
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For further information please contact:
Paul Dykes
Marketing Manager - REIO
Telephone 023 29146
Editors Notes:
Why Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is clean. Whereas using fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (one of the greenhouse gases) and other harmful pollutants, renewable energy sources can be harnessed without damaging the environment. Increased use of renewable energy is therefore key to reducing damaging emissions and meeting Ireland’s Kyoto commitments.
Renewable energy resources will never run out. Unlike finite fossil fuels, renewable energy resources are naturally replenished and will never run out.
Renewable energy resources are indigenous resources. Ireland imports 90% of the fossil fuels we need for energy and by tapping into the rich vein of available renewable energy resources we will reduce the reliance on imports.
Renewable energy can provide investment opportunities and jobs. Renewable energy projects are often labour intensive and there are employment opportunities at every stage of development from initial research through to manufacturing, construction, operation and maintenance. These opportunities often occur in rural or undeveloped areas where the jobs are needed most.
Renewable energy resources can provide alternative rural incomes. Some renewable energy initiatives offer genuine and profitable alternatives to traditional agricultural land use. For example farmers can generate income by leasing land for wind power development. Wood and rape-seed could be cultivated as energy crops.
Renewable energy can reduce energy costs for homes and buildings. Homes, offices and other buildings can achieve lower energy costs and increased comfort by using renewable energy to provide heat, light and electricity. Passive solar design, heat pumps, solar panels and wood fuel can provide cost effective energy.
