Greens: Lack of renewable energy to blame for price rise

Green Party energy spokesman Eamon Ryan said the massive rise in electricity prices planned for January could have been avoided if more emphasis had been placed on renewable energy.

“Fuel costs are the main drivers behind these price increases and yet the regulator and the ESB have not had the foresight to invest in renewable resources such as wind and biomass, whose fuel costs are zero,” Mr Ryan said.

“Today’s increase makes ever more urgent the need to turn the ESB from a fossil fuel dinosaur into a modern, progressive green energy company.”

Labour Party enterprise spokesman Ruairí Quinn called on the Government to hand back the €77m dividend it is due from ESB this year.

“With Government coffers awash with money, the €77m they are taking from the ESB will make little or no difference to the overall exchequer position,” Mr Quinn said.

“But if the ESB were to be allowed to retain this money it would reduce the need for such a major increase and ease the pressure for future increases.”