Wind energy sector 'could create 1,300 jobs in North'

The wind energy sector has the potential to attract almost £2bn (€2.37bn) investment to the North and create over 1,300 jobs, it was claimed today.

A report produced for the Irish Wind Energy Association by Deloitte identified that the construction and development of wind farms on both sides of the border would involve approximately £12.5bn (€14.8bn) of investment up to 2020 with an estimated £4.3bn (€5.1bn) being retained in the local economies – £665m (€787.9m) north and £3.6bn (€4.26bn) south.

Dr Michael Walsh, chief executive of the Irish Wind Farm Association (IWEA) said the report was evidence of the huge work that was being carried out to progress the development of the local wind energy sector.

“The IWEA’s assessment that wind energy can become a significant employer here in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is absolutely correct.

“We have the will and the resources to achieve this. Already, 12% of our electricity on the island is derived from renewables with over 1,300MW of wind connected and it’s clear that we can and will be an international leader in wind energy.”

The association intends to develop a roadmap for the sector over the coming months, he said, and warned there were a number of key areas of concern that needed to be addressed if the sector was to reach its potential.

The Irish Government has set itself a progressive target of delivering 40% of energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

Dr Walsh said: “Northern Ireland is currently preparing to conduct a strategic review of energy policy and it is envisaged that this will result in a progressive target for renewable electricity which will be welcomed.”

Michael Flynn, corporate finance partner at Deloitte said they had been delighted to be involved in bringing the report to fruition.

“One of the key themes that emerged from the findings is potential – the potential to find a sustainable solution to our energy needs, the potential to tackle the climate change challenge, the potential to deliver benefits to the consumer and the potential to really drive NI and RoI’s economy forward and create jobs.

“It’s important that this potential is now fulfilled, and that the island of Ireland emerges as a leader in the wind energy sector.”