Use of wind power electricity ‘needs to double over next decade’

Electricity generated by wind power will need to more than double over the next 10 years if the Government’s green energy targets are to be met.

Wind power produces over 2,000 megawatts of electricity, with one megawatt roughly equivalent to the power needs of 1,000 homes.

However, Eirgrid said this needed to more than double to meet the 2020 target of 40% of electricity coming from renewable sources.

Other renewable sources such as hydro and biomass will feed into that target but wind energy presents a particular challenge because of local opposition to the construction of windfarms.

Overall, however, Eirgrid and its Northern Ireland counterpart, SONI, present a positive outlook for the electricity generation industry up to 2022.

In a joint statement to be released today they forecast that there will be a “considerable” surplus of electricity generated over the coming decade which they say will provide assurance to businesses and consumers.

One reason for the surplus is a “subdued” demand for electricity due to the economic climate but they describe as a welcome development the emergence of data centres as a significant new category of demand.

“Data centres need significant amounts of high-quality power, as well as strong communications links and can have a positive effect on the operation of the power system and in economic development.

“There is currently over 175 megawatts of data centre demand on the power system and this is expected to at least double over the rest of this decade.”

A market is also likely to exist for power generated in the Republic to be supplied to Northern Ireland where there may be shortages within the next few years but Eirgrid say this potential could be hampered because only one major power line links the two networks.

Fintan Slye, Eirgrid CEO, said: “The project to build a second north-south tie line is needed to ensure that both jurisdictions have a generation supply sufficient to meet demand reliably.”