The International Energy Agency (IEA) was formed in 1974 as an autonomous body within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The IEA has established a legal framework for international collaboration and carries out an energy technology programme among its 28 Member Countries including R&D, demonstration, and information exchange. The wind energy department of IEA publishes a report every year about the wind energy generation and use in the world. In the report for 2008 Ireland ranked number 4 in electricity use from the wind. The report about Ireland gives ideas about development of renewable energy in Ireland, future forecasts, national goals, financial aspects of the industry, and governmental supports for the technologies.
This report clearly shows the gradually increasing interest in renewable in Ireland and how they are supported.
Here are some important parts from that report about Ireland’s Wind Energy:
- Wind energy’s contribution to Ireland’s electricity supply continues to rise.
By December 2008, a total of 77 wind farms were connected, bringing the total installed capacity for wind to 1,002 MW or 13.7% of total installed capacity
- Wind power displaced almost 1.28 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions and primary energy imports of 215,000 metric tonnes of oil equivalent to a nation that is more than 90% dependent on imported energy supplies.
- In 2008, wind generation produced approximately 2.3 TWh of electricity, increasing its share of electricity consumption from 6.8% in 2007 to approximately 8.7% in 2008
- Ireland’s target is to supply 15% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2010. As large-scale hydroelectric development in Ireland is not a viable option, wind has contributed, and will continue to contribute, the vast majority of the additional renewable generation required
- The design, development, construction, equipping and connection of wind farm facilities in Ireland is estimated at 300 million €/yr of economic activity over the past three years. Up to 80% of the outlay is spent on imported equipment, including the turbine and associated electrical equipment. Therefore, the value to the local and national economy could be estimated to be worth approximately 60 million €/yr. The value of civil and construction costs to the local economies is approximately 30 million €/yr.
- Although a burgeoning ocean energy industry is developing in Ireland, the country has no manufacturing industry of largescale wind turbines. There is, however, a developing micro-scale turbine manufacturing industry, with a handful of companies developing their own units and masts. In addition, several companies are involved in manufacturing key mechanical and electrical components for both micro-scale and large-scale turbines and generators.
- Sustainable Energy Ireland also administers a Low Carbon Homes Programme which is in place to incentivize further efficiency in the design of dwellings. The program provides financial assistance for developments (5–15 dwellings) that offer a 70% improvement in energy efficiency when compared to 2005 building regulations. The program requires at least 10kWh/m2/yr of electricity to be generated on-site for self supply or export. One-off demonstration buildings are considered if it can be shown that the design can be duplicated. Funding of 40%, up to a maximum of 15,000 €, is available per unit, and all scales of renewable electricity generation are eligible costs.
Thanks the Techstore Team
