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.