Sir, – The observations of the Academy of Engineers quoted in "Renewable energy commitments could cost extra €200m" (November 3rd) are contrary to a recent independent study entitled The Value of Wind Energy to Ireland, carried out by Pöyry and Cambridge Econometrics, which highlighted that using wind energy to meet Ireland's 2020 targets would support 12,390 jobs, deliver €3.5 billion of additional investment to the Irish economy, significantly contribute to economic growth and provide €552 million in additional cumulative tax revenues to the State without cost to the Irish consumer.
Furthermore, earlier this year the European Commission acknowledged that Ireland is in an almost unique situation where “the benefits for electricity consumers in terms of reduction in wholesale prices outweigh the costs of subsidies”. While also highlighting the fact that Ireland is currently Europe’s fourth most energy-dependent member state, importing 85 per cent of its energy needs each year.
The assertions by the Academy of Engineers came less than a day after the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published a report emphasising that renewable energy sources including wind will have to grow from 30 per cent of global electricity generation at present to 80 per cent by 2050, and emissions will have to be reduced to zero by the end of the century. At home, wind energy is actively reducing our dependency on expensive foreign energy imports and is contributing significantly to the €1 billion-plus which is retained in the Irish economy as a result of indigenous energy sources. – Yours, etc,
KENNETH MATTHEWS,
Chief Executive, Irish Wind
Energy Association,
Sycamore House,
Millennium Park,
Osberstown,
Naas, Co Kildare.