Ireland 'likely to miss' renewable energy targets for 2020

Ireland is likely to miss its renewable energy targets for 2020, resulting in hefty fines and a possible ban on green energy exports, according to the National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland (Now Ireland).

The EU has committed to sourcing 20 per cent of its energy needs from renewables such as wind, solar and biomass by 2020.

As part of this, the State has pledged to generate 40 per cent of its electricity consumption from renewables.

However, Now Ireland claims rising energy needs linked to an upturn in the economy combined with a dwindling number of suitable onshore wind energy sites will see the State fall short of this target .

Apart from the ensuing fines, the breach could prohibit Irish renewable energy generators from exporting power into Europe.

The idea of imposing such an export ban on rogue states is gaining traction in Brussels and is likely to be promoted by Maros Sefcovic, vice president of the European Commission, in charge of Energy Union, during his visit here this week.

The biggest losers in such a scenario would be the offshore wind energy generators, which have effectively been shut out of the domestic market via the current system of price supports.

Submission

In its submission to Government, Now Ireland highlighted the risk posed to its members if the State fails to achieve its 2020 targets and called on the Government to overhaul its policy in relation to offshore wind generation.

Secretary general Brian Britton said: "Successive Governments have placed all their eggs in the basket of onshore wind. Other technologies, such as offshore wind, have been pushed towards the export route to market,"

“ If the Government’s narrow focus fails to deliver, Ireland will face significant fines and the offshore wind industry, which could deliver the entire renewable energy shortfall for Ireland, will be locked out of the export market as well as the home market.”

“This would work directly against the aims of the European Commission through its Energy Union priority as it strives to eliminate reliance on Russian gas through maximising renewable EU energy resources,” he added.

Ireland has committed to generating 16 per cent of its overall energy requirements from renewables by 2020 under the EU’s plan. Currently about 8 per cent comes from renewables.

Minister for Energy Alex White recently acknowledged the second half of this journey would be more “ challenging” because of growing energy demand and the dearth of viable onshore wind sites.

His department did not respond to a request for comment on the Now Ireland submission yesterday.