Investors 'discouraged from wind energy'

A Dáil committee has heard that international investors are being discouraged from investing in wind energy here.

The Oireachtas Committee on the Marine and Natural Resources has heard that Ireland has become too reliant on energy sources such as coal, gas and oil, while ignoring wind as an energy source.

Dr Eddie O'Connor of Airtricity told the committee that, if wind energy is not developed, the consumer will continue to pay dearly.

“We are on our way to something between 60 per cent and 80 per cent reliance on gas here.

"The customer is going to pick up all the prices on that, and we are going to build on further gas-fired generation.

"Are we going to repeat the mistakes of the past or are the Dáil and the Seanad going to take the bull by the horns and not leave national planning in the hands of the ESB?”