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The Irish wind Energy Association (IWEA) has called
for a price of 10c per kilowatt hour for onshore wind power
to underpin €6 billion in private sector investment.
Speaking at the Irish Wind Energy National Conference, which
took place in Dublin, Dr. Michael Walsh, IWEA chief executive,
said that a price of at least 10c per unit is needed to enable
Ireland to meet national renewable energy targets.
"A price level of 10c for on-shore wind is necessary to reflect
market conditions - including increasing capital and financing
costs for projects and critical in underpinning private sector
investment of €6 billion needed to deliver our national
renewable energy targets" - he said. Dr. Walsh welcomed Minister
Eamon Ryan's confirmation that on-shore wind is envisaged
to be the "primary vehicle for delivering Ireland's renewable
energy targets".
"Realising Ireland's wind power potential is the only way
that Ireland can meet targets for delivering 33 percent of
electricity from renewable-sources by 2020. This is critical
to ensuring we move towards a secure source of energy and
avoid huge fines and other costs for failing to cut greenhouse
gas emissions" - he said.
Dr. Walsh acknowledged a suite of imminent actions by Government
announced by Minister Ryan to underpin the development of
the wind energy sector. "The Minister has announced today
a number of welcome actions which will support the wind energy
sector. We believe these actions demonstrate the Minister's
commitment to meeting our national targets."
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