Potential €2bn in energy exports

IRELAND has the ability to benefit to the tune of around €2 billion per year, on the back of new EU penalties on member states not meeting their 2020 energy targets.

Speaking ahead of its autumn conference to be held in Galway on Thursday, Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) chief executive Dr Michael Walsh said that stringent EU penalties for nations that fail to deliver on their targets could turn into a €2bn energy export opportunity for Ireland.

“All European countries have a legally binding agreement with the EU to deliver a fixed share of their energy from renewable sources.