Last Updated on 30/06/2023 by Green Crowd
Wind and solar will see Ireland meet its targets for renewables, says EirGrid’s chief.
According to a recent article published in the Irish Times, EirGrid’s chief executive Mark Foley stated that Ireland is on a good track to meet it’s renewable energy targets, “Ireland will be among the best in terms of renewables on the electricity system, with close to 40 per cent. We will be a world leader around creating a decarbonised power system to power economy and society,” he said in the article..
In the “second half”, or up to 2030, a target of 70 per cent from renewable sources has been set. A lot of those sources of renewable energy have yet to be built, deployed and connected.
“Our job is to connect a massive amount of renewable energy in the next 10 years,” he said in his role as Chief Executive of Irelands transmission operator. “In the past it was about offshore wind; in the future it will be about onshore, offshore and solar. We got this far with one technology, but we’ll get to the goal with three technologies. We’re in the middle of making, enabling and connecting all of those.”
The article also links to a recent study commissioned by the Irish Wind Energy Association has stated that planning decisions need to be made faster if the scale of expansion in the current time frame is to be achieved. A wind energy project can take eight to 12 years to complete where Solar Investments and Investing in renewable projects can see that impact happen quicker, and also in some investment circles see tax relief gains. See EIIS Investments 2020.
Solar shift in First Quarter of 2020.
Between January and March 2020 half of Ireland’s electricity came from renewables, and Foley says credit must be given to the developers who worked to get Ireland there. Now the next generation to enter the market, including those in solar, must help Ireland get the rest of the way there.
A significant amount of solar is being built across Ireland in the next two to three years, which will complement wind. Mr Foley went on to say in the article,“In summer there is a lot of solar gain. Within the offshore wind community, some very serious, credible companies have about six or seven projects where they wish to build offshore wind farms that will get connected into the east coast and will be that third leg of the stool in providing really significant capacity.
Foley stated the plan needs buy-in from the general public. “It’s really important that the debate around this takes place and it becomes centre stage in public discourse. Without people understanding what’s needed and having the public’s support, there is little chance of getting the job done,” he says.
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