Review of energy policy is ‘vital’

A MAJOR review of Ireland’s national energy policy is needed immediately in order to avoid a waste of capital investment.

The Irish Academy of Engineering – the national representative body for the engineering profession – has made the call, claiming that upcoming proposed investment levels in the energy sector here, don’t account for the effect of the global economic downturn.

The academy – which, yesterday, issued a report reviewing Ireland’s energy policy in the context of the changing economy – said that capital investment levels in Ireland’s energy sector could reach €30 billion in the period up to 2020. This, it added, includes investment in conventional and renewable power generation, gas and electricity distribution networks, the national grid, interconnection to Britain and electric vehicles infrastructure.