Ambitious thinking for domestic renewable energy will increase our energy security, lower emissions and provide sustainable jobs
I welcome the introduction of a private members motion by the Regional Group of TDs of which I am a member of which urges the Government to establish an Offshore Renewable Development Authority, construct an Atlantic interconnector and designate Ireland as a European centre of excellence for the manufacturing of offshore renewable energy technology.
Regional group members state that Ireland has a 220-million-acre marine resource with the potential to develop over 70,000MW of offshore renewable energy.
The Regional Group members call on Government to think outside the box and implement ambitious solutions to our clean energy needs, that provide sustainable employment opportunities and ensure that Ireland is the leading global renewable energy exporter.
“It is vital that we have a coordinated approach across Government, and we believe this can be achieved by the establishment of an Offshore Renewable Development Authority similar to the Industrial Development Authority. This authority would drive a fully co-ordinated national action plan and will have responsibilities ranging from research and development and supply chain development to the commercial deployment of renewable energy ensuring that Ireland becomes the leading global clean energy exporter”.
“But we in Ireland will only need about 10% of the electricity generated off our coast and it is vital that we sell the 90% surplus to help drive down the cost of electricity for Irish customers. To do this we need to get that electricity to the European energy market. So, Ireland needs to immediately design a strategy in conjunction with the EU Commission to fund and construct an Atlantic Electricity Interconnector which would land west/southwest coast renewable energy directly into the mainland European electricity grid”.
领英推荐
Ireland must also ensure that all offshore renewable energy rights issued take into consideration the domestic employment potential in terms of the manufacture, deployment, and maintenance of such infrastructure. To achieve this in the emerging offshore floating renewable energy technology sector Government should designate Foynes Port & the Shannon Estuary as a European centre of excellence for the manufacture of such technology. We also need to develop Galway, Ros a Mhil, Killybegs ports together with all other Irish ports to have the capacity to harness the full potential that exists in regional Ireland
The Regional Group of TDs state that all key stakeholders including third level institutions and development agencies need to be part of an Offshore Renewable Action Plan. The establishment of the Offshore Renewable Development Authority will co-ordinate the Offshore Renewable Action Plan, source finance and promote joint ventures with domestic enterprises and third level institutions.
“Ireland has a unique opportunity in global terms to become a major green energy exporter but this will only happen with a cross Government strategic approach which we feel cannot be achieved without the establishment of an Offshore Renewable Development Authority”.