April 17, 2008
Ireland

IWEA call for 10c per hour wind energy

The Irish wind Energy Association (IWEA) has called for a price of 10c per kilowatt hour for onshore wind power to underpin E6 billion in private sector investment.

Speaking at today’s Irish Wind Energy National Conference taking place in Dublin, Dr. Michael Walsh, IWEA chief executive, said that a price of at least 10c per unit is needed to enable Ireland to meet national renewable energy targets.

“A price level of 10c for on-shore wind is necessary to reflect market conditions, including increasing capital and financing costs for projects, and critical in underpinning private sector investment of E6 billion needed to deliver our national renewable energy targets,” he said.

Dr. Walsh welcomed Minister Eamon Ryan’s confirmation that on-shore wind is envisaged to be the “primary vehicle for delivering Ireland’s renewable energy targets”.

“Realising Ireland’s wind power potential is the only way that Ireland can meet targets for delivering 33 percent of electricity from renewable-sources by 2020. This is critical to ensuring we move towards a secure source of energy and avoid huge fines and other costs for failing to cut green house gas emissions,” he said.

Dr. Walsh acknowledged a suite of imminent actions by Government announced by Minister Ryan to underpin the development of the wind energy sector.

“The Minister has announced today a number of welcome actions which will support the wind energy sector. We believe these actions demonstrate the Minister’s commitment to meeting our national targets.”