Grid energy reports contradict each other

Two articles, in the same edition of the (Irish Examiner, March 28) elegantly expose EirGrid’s dilemma in regard to the Government’s plan to meet EU 2020 targets for renewable energy by doubling the amount of on-shore wind power in the Irish system.

In “Blackout risk unless grid updated“, Grid Link project manager John Lowry claimed that “changes in generation mix and increased use of wind power... make transmission upgrades essential to avoid the risk of the system collapsing.”

Yet, in a second article that day, “Report urged investment in biomass”, EirGrid spokesman Michael Walsh claimed that it was not true that the grid upgrade was necessitated by the need to accommodate more wind.

Walsh’s comments came in response to a pair of reports by independent energy consultants, BW Energy, that make the link between the grid upgrade and increased wind power clear. BW Energy’s reports suggest, as an alternative, that conversion of Ireland’s largest power station, Moneypoint, to biomass would enable Ireland to meet its renewables target without the need for the transmission upgrade, hundreds of pylons, and thousands of kilometres of overhead lines.

Given that the demand for electricity is still below 2008 levels and no changes would be required to the transmission system were Moneypoint converted to be renewable, why, precisely, would these upgrades be needed? Isn’t it about time Eirgrid answered this question accurately and publicly — and, while they’re at it, agreed it among themselves?

Paddy Massey & Sean Cullinan

ReThinkPylons.org

Cappoquin

Co Waterford