Harnessing Ireland’s offshore wind and wave energy is vital to help Ireland cut its carbon emissions by 2020, an inaugural Oireachtas Committee said today.
The Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, which was established a year ago, said Irish people now produce the fifth highest levels of greenhouse gas in the world in per capita terms.
The EU wants Ireland to reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 and also produce 20 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by the same date.
Committee chairman Seán Barrett today called for the development of wind and wave energy projects in Ireland's offshore area, which covers 900,000 square kilometres of sea bed or ten times the land area of the country. He said the current planning regime for such projects was several decades out of date.
"If we are to exploit offshore wind and harness the power of waves and tides, we must replace outdated structures with a modern system for dealing with marine developments," the Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire said.
“Such an immense resource warrants a modern streamlined planning process that will balance the aspirations of renewable energy developers with the legitimate and reasonable concerns of local communities," Mr Barrett added.
The National Offshore Wind Association, which made a presentation at one of the committee's public hearings, claims five member firms are waiting to get the Government's approval to develop projects worth €6 billion which could provide 40 per cent of Ireland's total electricity needs.
Today's
Scrutiny Report on the EU Climate Energy Packagealso found that the farming and transport emissions make up more than 45 per cent of total national output.
The 50-page document will be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Government ministers with responsibility for the area.