Energy potential ‘must be realised’

AN international green energy expert has said Ireland has the greatest potential in Europe for wind energy development but it needs to quickly start realising this potential.

Speaking at the Irish Wind Energy Association’s autumn conference in Galway, chief executive of the European Wind Energy Association, Christian Kjaer, said that Ireland has “enormous competitive advantage” as we have a “great resource” which we can produce cheaper than any other nation.

“Southern Europe exports enormous amounts of oranges because it has the climate to grow them. Ireland’s natural resource is wind but you have not maximised its full potential, although you still can. You have to ask yourselves the question as a nation: do you want to continue sending an increasing share of your citizens’ wealth to a handful of fuel-exporting nations, or do you want to put the money to work here in Ireland and reap the economic benefits of manufacturing and energy exports?” Mr Kjaer said.

It was vital, he added, to develop interconnectors and welcomed the announcement by the European Investment Bank (EIB) earlier this week that it is making a €300 million loan available to the country for this purpose.

“Beyond developing interconnectors, your other challenge is enhancing access to the National Grid. At the moment, the delay in connections is inhibiting Ireland delivering on its wind energy potential,” he said.

Earlier this week, the EU’s bank, the EIB, announced the loan which will help construct around 10 new wind farms around the country and part-fund the east-west interconnector due to link the electricity grids of Ireland and Britain.