Green energy target ‘will not be met’

THE wind energy sector has warned that Ireland is looking increasingly unlikely to meet its target of providing 40% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020 unless greater price stability is provided to operators.

Statistics from the European Wind Energy Agency released yesterday showed that Ireland is not capitalising on its natural resources, laying claim to just 2.3% of Europe’s wind farms, despite having some of the fastest winds in the continent.

Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) chief executive, Michael Walsh, said that barriers in terms of grid connection and fluctuating pricing continue to slow development here.