There is ‘vast potential and opportunities’ for renewable energy development along the western seaboard, which has the highest wind speeds in Europe, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.
Speaking in Galway on Thursday, he said accelerating scale-up of offshore wind projects with targeted development of its ports would help Ireland address climate change, which “is the most profound and far-reaching threat of our time, with no time to delay”.
“The renewable energy opportunity off Ireland’s Atlantic coast represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our country to help achieve its climate action targets, significantly contribute to securing energy independence for the EU and assist in balanced regional development in the west of Ireland with the creation of well-paid jobs,” Mr Martin told a conference hosted by Galway Harbour Company.
Renewable electricity could not only help deliver emissions reductions, but also provide a more resilient, secure and sustainable Irish energy system for future generations, Mr Martin added.
Ireland has made significant progress towards deployment of renewable electricity, he noted.
“Crucially, up to three-quarters of the electricity flowing on the electricity grid at any point in time can now come from variable renewable sources following completion of a ground-breaking project by grid operator EirGrid. But we can, we must and we will do much more.”
He added that, given our location at the Atlantic edge of the EU and with a sea area seven times that of our landmass, Ireland has very promising green hydrogen and offshore renewable energy potential.
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