Backing for renewable energy to be cut 'once targets reached'

Colm Kelpie, Irish Independent

IRISH financial supports for renewable energy schemes will be scaled back once EU targets are met, Davy Stockbrokers has predicted.

Supports cannot be kept at the current "elevated" levels, according to the stockbrokers.

The State has been pushing renewable energy in part because it faces fines of about €150m a year if it fails to ensure that 16pc of all energy in Ireland across the electricity, heat and transport sectors is from renewable sources.

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New EU proposal will keep renewable energy firmly on the agenda

Last week’s announcement by the EU Commission of new climate and energy goals for 2030 reinforces the case for continuing investment in Ireland renewable energy capacity, according to Dr Brian Motherway, CEO of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

“Speculation that resolve would be weakened is far from the truth - the EU Commission today announced its intention to impose a more demanding target for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as part of an ambitious climate energy policy, which includes a binding EU target for renewable energy,” said Dr Motherway.

He added - “We welcome the strong signal from the EU...

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Gaelectric start E70m Co Derry wind farm

Renewable energy group, Gaelectric, has started construction of its E70m, 42MW wind farm site at Dunbeg, Co. Derry.

The site is located near the A37 mid-way between Limavady and Coleraine.

Dunbeg will be one of the more significant wind farm developments on the island of Ireland and will generate sufficient renewable power to meet the electricity demand of 24,000 homes. The total investment at Dunbeg will amount to E70 million (Stg£58million).

The development will consist of 14 Enercon wind turbines with a maximum hub height of 80 metres and a maximum blade diameter of 90 metres.

Preliminary works commenced towards the end of 2013 an...

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EU renewable energy targets to be significantly scaled back

EC decision could undermine Government’s rationale for construction of pylons and wind farms

The European Commission is to significantly scale back its mandatory renewable energy targets from 2020, which could undermine a key aspect of the Government’s rationale for the construction of pylons and its move towards wind energy as part of the strengthening of the national grid.

The commission will next week publish a long-awaited energy and climate change proposal for EU greenhouse emissions and renewable energy targets post-2020.

Leaked copies of the proposal suggest that it will refrain from impos...

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