Breezy fix for energy security

WITH the world in turmoil amidst ongoing wars, the importance of energy independence has never been more prominent.

- BY KEITH FALKINER

With that in mind, campaigners have been urging our Government to ramp up plans to increase Ireland’s renewable energy sources.

Justin Moran, director of external affairs for Wind Energy Ireland, has revealed how extensive mapping has found that Ireland can generate at least a further 6,000 megawatts of wind energy, in addition to what is already built or in the planning system.

He says onshore wind energy is already our most affordable source of new electricity.

Over 5,000 MW of wind energy is connected to the electricity grid.

Another four thousand have secured, or applied for, planning permission which could get the country close to our existing 9,000 MW target.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Darragh O'Brien says he recently brought a memo to Cabinet for a very significant plan to accel-erate offshore renewable energy development through the designation of additional zones for offshore renew-able develop-ment in Ireland.