Insane scheme only benefits companies and hurts consumers

WIND generated electricity is a tremendous indigenous resource, which if managed correctly has the potential to bring significant environmental and financial benefits to the people of Ireland.

The most recent support scheme for wind generation REFIT and the proposed extension to same will only bring huge profits to a few at considerable expense of the majority. Green Party Minister Eamon Ryan has already granted contracts to 1,639MW of windpower under the REFIT scheme and intends to extend this insane scheme.

Wind REFIT takes money from Irish consumers through the electricity PSO levy and gifts the money to the electricity supply companies.

The insane REFIT scheme allows the supply companies keep all the profit when the cost of energy increases so no benefit for the consumer. The electricity supply companies are additionally guaranteed a minimum €0.75bn payment over the next 15 years (€1 million every week) pure profit which the consumer will have to fund with zero return.

John Kingston

Glengarriff

Co Cork