THE National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland (NOW Ireland) has welcomed the announcement of a new 40% renewable energy target by the Government, and claimed this figure is achievable if the generating capacity available from the deployment of larger offshore wind projects is harnessed.

AIRTRICITY, the Dublin based renewable energy firm, has entered the Irish electricity and gas supply sector and is targeting a 15% share of the Irish market by 2013.

NOW Ireland, the organisation representing the offshore wind energy sector in Ireland, has said that the failure to adequately promote renewable energy in Budget 2008 is a decision that will cost Ireland in terms of lost investment and further carbon penalties.

THOUSANDS of jobs could be created and 40% of our long-term energy needs met by wind energy if Government backs the sector.

Offshore wind energy developers have €4bn worth of offshore windfarm projects at an advanced stage of development.