Natural energy project well received
The project appears to have captured the public imagination with thousands of people have logged onto the website www.spiritofireland.org to post comments praising the innovative idea.
The energy project could make Ireland energy independent within five years and see the country exporting energy in a decade.
The first phase of the project promises energy independence for Ireland within five years, with a €10 billion boost to the economy.
The second phase will see energy exports of €3bn to €5bn per year in years six, seven and eight, or up to €50bn over the following 10 years.
The basic plan proposes to locate wind farms in suitable areas to harvest energy and save the resulting energy in hydro storage reservoirs.
This energy released from the reservoirs is instantly dispatchable and ideal for both domestic use and export.
According to the group, a similar model has been adopted successfully in Japan and senior executives and engineers visiting from Japan confirmed the validity of this approach for Ireland.
Spirit of Ireland has said the project has received “very positive support” and advice from the Government and senior members of the opposition parties.
As well as harnessing excess energy for export, the project hopes to create thousands of jobs on both a local and national level and lead to huge investment throughout the country.
The group is currently in consultation with stakeholders throughout the west of Ireland including politicians, farmers and landowners.
By the end of September, Spirit of Ireland hopes to have the legal, environmental and building materials costings complete and ready to present to the Government. Once this process is complete, the aim is to bring in groups such as the ESB, IDA, An Bord Pleanála, An Taisce, and the departments of Environment and Energy into a 100-day consultation programme with the hope of beginning the project in December.
Spokesman for Spirit of Ireland Graham O’Donnell said the project could be of massive benefit to the economy.
“Our people, pension funds and Government can invest in and support this initiative. This has potential to be of huge economic benefit to our country,” he said.
