Renewable energy resources ignored
Sustainable Energy Ireland's Renewable Energy Information Office (REIO) technical manager Paul Kellett said Ireland boasts vast resources of renewable energy which the country is failing to harness.
"Instead we are choosing to spend billions of euro on imported polluting coal, gas and oil rather than develop our own natural sources of clean energy. Given the continued increases in the cost of oil and the recent announcements to further increase the cost of electricity and gas to the Irish user, we can no longer afford to ignore the merits of renewable energy," he said.
Mr Kellett was speaking at the National Renewable Forum 2002, a two-day event being attended by over 120 delegates.
"Existing Government policy aims to increase electricity generation from renewable energy to 500 MWe by 2005. While the renewable potential in Ireland is enormous, 2005 is looming large on the horizon and action is needed now if we are to reach the 500 MWe target.
"Ireland is home to the best wind regime and growing conditions for wood in Europe, and has an excellent climate for certain solar heating systems. Yet, these clean, eco-friendly sources of energy currently supply just 2% of our energy requirements. The remaining 98% is supplied from fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, gas and peat, which when burned emit vast quantities of greenhouse gases, including CO2, into the atmosphere," he said.
"The level of greenhouse gases now emitted poses a serious threat to our climate. Climate change and global warming are no longer a phenomenon but a reality and if not tackled urgently will have dramatic effects on our lives and more worryingly on the lives of future generations.
"The clean energy agenda is moving at great pace and increased deployment of renewable energy resources is recognised as the way forward for a sustainable future.
"We need to start investing in renewable energy now to help maximise efficiency of energy generation, to create local employment opportunities throughout the country and to reduce the level of Ireland's exposure to volatile energy markets. Harnessing the full potential of our renewable energy resources will ensure a positive move towards more sustainable energy and in the long run a more sustainable approach to life," he said.
Sustainable Energy Ireland, formerly the Irish Energy Centre, was established on May 1, 2002, as a statutory authority charged with promoting and assisting the development of sustainable energy. Sustainable Energy
Ireland is funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 with programmes part financed by the European Union.
The Renewable Energy Information Office (REIO) is the national service of Sustainable Energy Ireland, established to promote the use of renewable energy resources and provides expert independent advice and information on financial, social and technical issues relating to renewable energy development.
