Use of wind electricity up by 28%

The use of wind generated electricity in the Republic grew by 28 per cent on average, each year between 2005 and 2009, according to a new report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

According to the report Energy in Ireland overall renewable energy, which includes biomass such as wood chip boilers and biofuels for transport, grew by 15 per cent overall each year during the period.

The increase in the use of renewable energy sources, in addition to the decline in economic activity also resulted in a fall of energy-related CO2 emissions of more then 10 per cent in 2009.

Significantly the report also found the new vehicle registration tax and road tax systems had resulted in a dramatic increase in consumers choosing more fuel efficient vehicles in the A and B label bands. The report found some 80 per cent of new cars bought in the first 11 months of 2010 were A and B label vehicles up from 25 per cent prior to the new tax band introduction.

The report also shows that overall energy use declined by 9 per cent in 2009, with sectors such as industry at 13 per cent, services at 12 per cent and transport at 10 per cent witnessing the greatest fall.

Launching the report, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan said he was "encouraged" to see that "contrary to some perceptions, Ireland's position in terms of energy prices relative to the rest of Europe continues to improve, with prices for many consumers now below the EU average."

Minister Ryan added that by continuing to reduce energy wastage in homes and businesses, and by making much fuller use of natural energy resources, "we can dramatically improve our competitiveness, our energy security and reduce our exposure to volatile fuel prices."

The report can be accessed on SEAI's website: www.seai.ie/statistics