Electricity from wind farms up 70% in year

Electricity generated from wind has increased by 70% in the last year, it emerged today.

New figures released by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) show that in 2005 renewable energy sources electricity contributed to 6.8% of electricity supply, up from 5.2% in 2004, with a 70% rise in wind supply.

The country’s installed capacity of wind farms also grew from 339 Megawatts (MW) in 2004 by 46% to 496 MW in 2005.

This is expected to rise to 736 MW by the end of the year, with the capacity of wind turbines in Ireland more than doubling by the end of 2006 compared with the end of 2004.

“The increased contribution from wind is particularly welcome,” said David Taylor, chief executive, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). “With demand for energy in Ireland rising in recent years we have witnessed an increase in energy related CO2 emissions.”

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, recently increased Ireland’s target for renewable energy generated electricity from 13.2% to 15% by 2010.