'We are dangerously short of time': Next 2 years 'critical' for offshore wind targets
The next two years are “critical” for Ireland’s offshore wind energy targets, according to the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).
The IWEA has warned today (Monday, December 7) that what the government does over the next two years will decide “whether Ireland reaches its 2030 climate action targets”.
It is the fourth in a series of reports which set out Ireland’s pathway to a 70% renewable electricity system.
Dr. David Connolly, CEO of the IWEA, said that if a project does not have planning permission by the end of 2025, “it will not be built by the end of the decade”.
“It is as simple as that – which means today, we are on course to fail unless immediate action is taken,” Dr. Connolly said.
We have the pipeline to deliver our 2030 target with more than 16GW of offshore projects at some stage of development off the coast of Ireland.
“But we do not have a planning regime for offshore wind; there is no system for projects to connect to the electricity grid and no way for them to sell their power on the market.”
‘More CO2 savings than every other form of renewable energy combined’
According to Dr. Connolly, wind energy is delivering more CO2 savings “than every other form of renewable energy combined”.
“With 5GW of offshore wind energy, we can make this government’s vision a reality and cut carbon emissions in the electricity sector by more than 7% annually,” he said.
“But it cannot and it will not happen unless the problems we have identified are resolved.”
Dr. Connolly said that some progress is “already visible with the MPDM Bill starting its way through the Oireachtas and commitments from Minister Ryan that an offshore auction will take place next year”.
“We need to acknowledge there has been a substantial increase in the time, energy and resources the government is putting into the development of offshore wind energy,” he continued.
“No one could deny they are taking this seriously and moving forward.
“But the scale of what we are being asked to accomplish is unlike anything ever done in Ireland before.
Building 5GW of offshore wind energy in 10 years – creating an entirely new industry from next to nothing – requires urgent, rapid and coordinated policy development.
“It needs to include a wide range of government departments, state agencies and other key stakeholders, particularly coastal and fishing communities.
“We need to acknowledge the progress this government is making while also being clear that we need to accelerate.”
Grid the biggest barrier
The “single biggest barrier” to the development of offshore wind energy is Ireland’s electricity transmission grid.
Dr. Connolly continued: “Our members will not build wind farms to sit idle off our coast. We must get the power to shore. Industry needs to know that EirGrid and the ESB will have the resources they need to develop the grid and have the confidence it will be reinforced in time.
“It can take years to build infrastructure to strengthen the transmission grid. This work needs to start immediately if it is to be completed in time to ensure the Ireland of 2030 is one that is powered by renewable energy.”
