Ireland wasting its wind energy resource

The Technical Manager of Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Renewable energy Information Office (REIO) has spoken out about his country’s lack of attention to renewable energy, reports the Irish Examiner.

Technical Manager Paul Kellet noted that Ireland needs to act now in order to reach even its renewable energy target of 500MW by 2005. “Ireland is home to the best wind regime and growing conditions for wood in Europe, and has an excellent climate for certain solar heating systems,” Kellet is reported as saying. “Yet, these clean, eco-friendly sources of energy currently supply just 2% of our energy requirements.” The remaining 98% comes from fossil fuels.

Investment in renewable energy must start now in order to help maximise efficiency, to create employment, and to reduce Ireland’s exposure to volatile international energy markets, he said.