Ireland has a history of bravery in energy supply — and we need that bravery again now
Unlike fossil fuels, solar power does not rely on a globally traded commodity whose price changes daily. Once a solar development is built, its necessary fuel source, sunlight, is free. The cost of generation becomes largely fixed and predictable for decades.
A century ago, our fledgling nation was at a crossroads. As the country emerged from a crisis, others around it looked like they were going to move ahead at a different pace and leave Saorstát Éireann at a distinct disadvantage. This new country, it was perceived, had few resources other than those gifted to her by nature.
The decision to harness the power of the River Shannon was then, and still is, mesmerising in its audacity. The country’s needs at the time were met by a new technology — hydroelectric power. Nature provided the answer at a time when it felt like other options were beyond reach.
The parallels with the Ireland of today are striking. As uncertainty grips the world, the progress that Ireland has made risks being stalled by circumstances beyond our control. Our energy infrastructure, for reasons that we can all regret, was built around unsustainable and irreplaceable sources of fuel.
While we are among the global leaders for wind energy, on its own, it’s simply not enough to provide that which we all crave — stability.
And that is where solar energy can provide an answer.
Recent crises have shown Ireland is incredibly vulnerable to external shocks. About 40% of our electricity is generated using natural gas, and as the result, the energy market here remains heavily influenced by global prices.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the outbreak of war in Iran have highlighted just how exposed Europe’s energy system is to supply disruptions. Although Ireland’s supply is sourced from the North Sea and not the Middle East, the energy markets are international and prices are set globally.
It doesn’t just impact upon the price of petrol, home heating oil or rising electricity bills, it affects entire economies. For businesses trying to make long-term investment decisions, energy volatility is deeply problematic.
This is where solar offers something different. Unlike fossil fuels, solar power does not rely on a globally traded commodity whose price changes daily. Once a solar development is built, its necessary fuel source, sunlight, is free. The cost of generation becomes largely fixed and predictable for decades.
And solar can be developed in a way that complements the community that embraces it. One of the significant drawbacks of hydroelectric power was the need to create huge reservoirs of water upstream to drive turbines. While the energy first produced a century ago was green, the impact on the people who lived nearby was immense.
Solar farms are the opposite. The land remains in local ownership, safeguarded for future generations to use as they see fit. The soil benefits from being rested for the medium term, offering respite from intensive farming. The surrounding lands benefit from extensive natural planting, including native hedgerows and wildflowers to promote pollination.
And those neighbouring these solar farms can apply to access funding to support their local communities, whether for sports or amenities.
Ireland needs energy now, and it needs to control the source of its generation. We can become a global leader, especially as technology advances and the panels used can do more than before.
However, we cannot operate in a vacuum. The State needs to establish clear guidelines when it comes to solar farms and battery storage. As with any new technology, those installing this technology need certainty. The community needs certainty.
And we need to be able to move forward together, so that in a century’s time, we look back on this time as a period of co-operation and innovation at a time of great uncertainty.
- Declan Cullinane is managing director of Amarenco Solar
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