We must harness other energy sources

WHILE Ireland lags far behind other EU states when it comes to harnessing energy from renewable sources, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has reiterated his implacable opposition to nuclear power.

With oil prices at record levels, triggered by fears of a preemptive US strike to prevent Iran developing atomic weapons, the Taoiseach insisted that he never believed in the merits of nuclear power from either an environmental or energy viewpoint.

Now that nuclear power has effectively been ruled out, the question being asked by worried consumers is this: What alternative sources of energy they can rely on in the future?

As the Taoiseach reminded the annual engineers' conference, no national poll has ever been conducted on the nuclear question in this country. An astute reader of the wind, he was quick note that the vast majority of Irish people have concerns about nuclear energy.

With an eye on next year's general election, no doubt, Mr Ahern claimed he would be 'a leader' in opposing nuclear power. However, with Ireland's population expected to reach six million in 30 years' time, he admitted that "enormous work" remains to be done to meet the country's future energy, health and transport needs.

That's an understatement. In the vital area of energy supplies, this country has fallen very far behind other nations, with barely 2% of our total energy supply now coming from renewable sources.

Largely because of foot-dragging by Government, Ireland is now being prosecuted by the EU for failing to meet the parameters for alternative energy set by Brussels.

With oil demand surging, resources inexorably dwindling, and with EU nations at the end of a Russian pipeline bearing uncertain gas supplies, national energy security is now a major issue.

Having dismissed the nuclear option, Mr Ahern portrayed a broad policy picture on how to best meet the country's growing energy needs.

Urging international experts to focus on the political side of the nuclear debate, he insisted that other energy sources should be exploited, including agri-products, wind farming, and natural gas from the Mayo coast.

It is imperative that the Government goes further and actually commits itself to specific investments in a range of alternative energy sources so far undeveloped in Ireland.

A major energy problem for consumers, meanwhile, has been the lack of a competitive pricing regime. Since the foundation of the State, the ESB has enjoyed a virtual monopoly on electricity generation and supply.

Six years after the market first opened to other operators, competitors are finding it difficult to penetrate and survive in a market still dominated by the State-owned group.

Thus, consumers will be glad to hear that a price war is set to break out. The Northern Ireland group Viridian, the Republic's second largest supplier at present, with 10% of the market, is actively planning to undercut ESB prices.

Bidding to attract more customers and become a major force, wants to give the ESB "a run for its money" a promise consumers will applaud.

Once the North's public supplier, the now privately owned group aims to win a 20% slice of the market in the South, supplying domestic and industrial consumers from twin power plants in Dublin.

According to Viridian chief executive Patrick Haren, allowing the ESB to build more power stations would merely increase its dominance.

For hard-pressed consumers, the hope is that electricity prices will be much keener after the summer of 2007, when competition is expected to increase after Ireland becomes a single market stretching from Ballybunion to Belfast.