Wind exports could feed EU demand

Ireland has the potential to cater for more than 12% of the EU’s energy demand through renewable energy exports, a conference heard yesterday.

However, delegates attending the first day of the Irish Wind Energy Association’s annual conference in Dublin were also told that public acceptability is the main challenge to such a new export industry thriving here.

Andrew Garrad, president of the European Wind Energy Association and chairman of international renewable energy consultancy, GL Garrad Hassan, said Ireland has the potential to create a jobs-rich export industry.