Having signed the Kyoto Protocol, Ireland is currently spearheading a proactive approach in the development of its wind energy sector. With the recently launched wind energy supergrid between Ireland and Scotland, economic development and long-term investment is bound to follow.
Many countries are signatories of the Kyoto Protocol, which works towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 2008 to 2012. Ireland is one of the signatories to the Kyoto Protocol, as 98% of the country’s energy is secured from fossil fuels such as coal, peat and natural gas. To meet the target that has been set by the Kyoto Protocol, Ireland has implemented a pilot project as per the EU Emissions Trading Directive (Directive 2003/87/EC). Failure to meet the set target will allow the EU to impose strict fines. Against this backdrop, Ireland’s focus has turned to the development of wind farms.
According to a report published by CNET News in March 2008, Graham Brennan, program manager for renewable-energy R&D at Sustainable Energy Ireland (the government's national energy agency), said in an interview that Ireland’s onshore and offshore wind turbines are expected to be able to generate 5,000 MW of electricity for both parts of the island. Onshore wind energy will be able to meet 100% of Ireland’s energy requirements, Brennan added. While the Republic of Ireland has already set up wind turbines that would generate 800 MW of electricity, applications have or are expected to be filed by wind park developers for another 3,700 MW of wind energy. With this, the government is likely to be able to surpass its goal of having 1,200 MW of wind by 2010, the report by CNET News said.
In May 2008, the Irish Wind Energy Asssociation’s new best practices guidelines for onshore wind projects were launched by the country’s Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan. Following this, he announced the renewable energy feed-in tariff (REFIT) scheme that will ensure stability for project developers to secure incentives, adequate financing and encouragement. What this tariff will do is provide a guaranteed price for electricity that will be produced by new plants for a period of 15 years.
After the launch, it was stated by Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of the IWEA, that although more than 1,000 MW of wind power has been connected on Ireland, the wind industry has planned to move ahead in the private investment sector with an investment of between €4 billion and €6 billion in the country’s wind power development for the coming decade. Walsh added that this will need €500 million in total investments and create 3,000 additional jobs.
In July 2008, Scotland and Ireland launched the Wind Energy Super Grid Project to harness wind energy between the two nations. Scotland and Ireland will partner a study that is expected to trigger long-term economic development and harness offshore wind and wave power. The study will also determine the potential of establishing a grid infrastructure between the two counties to facilitate an offshore transmission network.
Ireland’s wind development strategy will need the backing of key commercial investors to cover some of its associated costs.
