€1bn needed to make Ryan's solar energy pledge a reality, says industry body

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan's pledge 'runs the risk of being nothing more than a throwaway soundbite' withour funding, says MREF chairman Pat Smith. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

A pledge by Eamon Ryan to ramp up solar energy to power the country by 2025 would be "nothing more than a throwaway soundbite" without a €1bn financial package to support the sector, a lobby group has stated.

The Micro Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) was reacting to the environment minister's claim that "by 2025, there will be sunny afternoons when we are generating enough solar electricity to power the entire country".