Wind energy has the greatest potential to meet our one-third renewable energy target, writes Paddy Teahon
Energy policy is now centre stage. The Government's White Paper on Energy, published this month, follows a six-month Green Paper consultation which generated over 100 written responses.
In the intervening period, there were also significant announcements from the commissioner for energy regulation and Minister Noel Dempsey on steps to reduce the ESB's dominance in the power-generation market.
Most notable was the agreement by the ESB to dispose of generation-ready sites for competitors - the details of which will not be available until the middle of the year. This year will also see the opening of an all-island wholesale market in electricity from November.
There is a commitment to greater interconnection of the Irish transmissions grid with the UK mainland through an east-west interconnector and a second interconnector with Northern Ireland.
The Irish wind energy sector sees the White Paper and the other announcements over the past six months as a step in the right direction.
One of the most challenging targets set in the White Paper is that one-third of our electricity generation must come from renewable sources by 2020. This is a higher target than agreed a few days earlier by EU heads of state where a 20 per cent binding target from renewable sources by 2020 was set.
All this comes as Ireland breaches its Kyoto commitment to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels plus 13 per cent, and a separate Government carbon fund is set up to purchase emissions allowances from other countries to cover our excess emissions.
The White Paper sets out a range of actions on renewable energy sources, including off-shore wind, R&D into ocean power, and measures to encourage greater inclusion of biofuels in transport fuels.
However, the one renewable energy source which is based on proven technology and which is supplying electricity in Ireland and throughout the world is wind.
Ireland is unique as it has one of the best wind resources in Europe and the world.
Despite the challenges that have confronted the Irish wind industry, including an uncertain policy towards wind, a damaging moratorium on new wind farm connections to the national grid in 2005, restrictive planning controls in areas with the best wind resources, and increasing costs generally, wind energy developers remain committed to this unique energy source.
They recognise that wind energy is the only credible option in achieving the one-third renewable target set in the White Paper.
Mr Dempsey set out the three underpinning themes to the White Paper as security of supply, sustainability of energy sources and the competitiveness of the Irish energy market.
Wind energy meets all these requirements. It enhances our security of supply as it is an indigenous energy source which is not prone to fossil fuel price fluctuations. Wind energy is sustainable as it is 100 per cent renewable. Each megawatt hour of wind generated avoids producing one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions.
Wind energy is extremely competitive. Fossil fuel prices are forecast to remain volatile and to increase as supplies dwindle. Wind energy has no fuel costs and no greenhouse gas liability, in addition to low operating and maintenance costs.
Enthusiasm for other renewable energy sources has always been dictated by fluctuations and the relative price of fossil fuels. In more recent times, interest in agricultural fuel sources has also been driven by changes in agricultural policy, particularly the demise of the sugar industry in Ireland.
Most renewable sources have not yet developed technologies which are available "off the shelf" and which have established and functioning markets.
Due to our climate and soils, non-grass crop production in Ireland has always been a minority sport, with just 7 per cent of agricultural land area used for arable crops.
Better interconnection with Northern Ireland and the UK is essential in allowing Ireland to maximise its wind energy resource. We also need much improved grid connections at the other side of this equation. This will require grid upgrading along the western seaboard where we have our greatest wind resource.
However, these are the areas and regions where economic development is being held back due to a lack of infrastructure generally, particularly in relation to electricity transmissions infrastructure.
Wind energy has the greatest potential to meet the one-third renewable energy target set in the White Paper with an indigenous, sustainable and competitive energy supply.
In order to achieve this, the wind energy sector needs a stable policy platform, without the self-imposed barriers to maximising our wind resource such as uncertainty over grid connections and unnecessary planning restrictions.
Wind energy can and will play a vital role in a sustainable energy future for Ireland.
Paddy Teahon is a former secretary to the government and the current president of the Irish Wind Energy Association