Renewable energy target praised

THE National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland (NOW Ireland) has welcomed the announcement of a new 40% renewable energy target by the Government, and claimed this figure is achievable if the generating capacity available from the deployment of larger offshore wind projects is harnessed.

Irish Offshore wind developers are planning to roll out in excess of 3000MW of offshore wind energy within the coming years, with projects likely to come on stream from 2012.

“The minister’s announcement was a logical follow on from important research, such as the All-Ireland Grid Study and the Indecon Report on offshore wind.

“These reports indicate that the Irish grid could accommodate a roll out of renewable energy in excess of 40% and that, in the case of offshore wind, that deployment of renewable energy gives a positive economic benefit to the Irish economy,” said Arno Verbeek, NOW Ireland spokesperson.