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Latest News - Irish Wind Energy AssociationIWEA Publish Best Practice GuidelinesWednesday 07 May 2008
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, launched the Irish Wind Energy Association’s comprehensive new guidelines on best practice for on-shore wind projects in Ireland.
Launching the Guidelines, Mr. Ryan said: “Government policy has set ambitious, but technically sound, targets that one third of our electricity requirements will be met by renewables by 2020. The recently published all-island grid study goes quite a way further stating that it is technically feasible to supply up to 42% of our power requirements from renewable energy sources by the same date.
The key to achieving these targets will be the proper development of our wind energy industry. These best practice guidelines are a pro-active and positive response from the industry itself to the challenges it faces and will play a critical role in securing a green energy future for Ireland.”
Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of the IWEA, said: “With over 1,000 megawatts of wind power already connected on the island of Ireland, the wind energy industry has already invested over €1 billion in generation capacity. However, the wind industry is planning the private investment of between €4 billion and €6 billion in wind power over the next ten years. This will require a total annual investment of over €500 million, creating an additional 3000 jobs.”
Mr. Walsh said: “The launch of these Guidelines ahead of our national Conference next week sets the agenda for long term sustainable development of wind power on this island.”
His remarks were echoed by John McCann, Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Wind Energy Programme Manager. “Sustainable Energy Ireland welcomes the publication of the Irish Wind Energy Association Best Practice Guidelines. The development of these guidelines was part-funded under SEI’s Renewable Energy Research Development and Demonstration programme. We believe that the guidelines demonstrate the wind energy sector’s commitment to protecting the environment while developing Ireland’s wind energy potential.”
The Best Practice Guidelines for the Irish Wind Energy Industry had been produced by the Irish Wind Energy Association, with support from Sustainable Energy Ireland.
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