Ireland has to move quickly if we are to become the Saudi Arabia of wind energy

As national blackout fears and unaffordable energy bills haunt the public consciousness ahead of winter, marine and energy expert Dr Val Cummins, says Ireland’s energy security is possible – if all stakeholders work together now.

Dr Val Cummins says: 'Floating wind technology can be deployed off the south coast and off the west coast where the continental shelf lends itself really, really well to an opportunity to get up to and beyond 30GW of floating offshore wind HASE, electricity.' Pictures: Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Time is ticking. By 2030, Ireland’s Climate Action Plan has committed to generating 80% of electricity through renewable sources.

Currently, it produces about 80% through fossil fuels. Eirgrid’s most recent figures for this week show coal generating 15.5%; gas generating 73.8% and renewables generating just 4.6%.