Irish utility launches renewables drive

DUBLIN, IRELAND - Ireland's Electricity Supply Board (ESB) announced an investment program of 22 billion euros ($34.72 billion), half of which it plans to spend on renewable energy sources such as wind, tidal and biomass.

The company aims to halve its carbon emissions within 12 years, by which time it will be delivering one-third of its electricity from renewable generation, and to achieve a "carbon net-zero" by 2035, it said.

"This will include over 1,400 megawatts of wind generation, in addition to wave, tidal and biomass," it said in a statement.

Ireland, where the Green Party holds the environment ministry, has launched government-backed schemes to develop wind power in a bid to boost renewable energy and cut the share of fossil fuels, of which Ireland imports nearly 90 percent.

ESB said it would invest 4 billion euros directly in renewable energy projects and 6.5 billion euros to "facilitate" renewables by smart metering and smart networks.

"The 11 billion euros to be invested by ESB in its networks will ensure continued efficient delivery of the vital infrastructure needed to support the Irish economy," it said.

European Union countries agreed last year to cut emissions contributing to global warming by 2020 and increase the share of wind, solar, hydro and wave power in electricity output by the same date.

Aside from cutting emissions by at least one-fifth by 2020 from 1990 levels, EU states have agreed to use 20 percent of renewable energy sources in power production and 10 percent of biofuels from crops in transport by the same date.

Ireland set itself a target of obtaining a third of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Related News

Grid coordination opens road for electric vehicle flexibility

WASHINGTON - As electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to rev up in the United States, the power grid is in parallel contending with the greatest transformation in its 100-year history: the large-scale integration of renewable energy and power electronic devices. The expected expansion of EVs will shift those challenges into high gear, causing cities to face gigawatt-growth in electricity demand and higher amounts of variable energy.

Coordinating large numbers of EVs with the power system presents a highly complex challenge. EVs introduce variable electrical loads that are highly dependent on customer behavior. Electrified transportation involves co-optimization with other energy systems, like…

READ MORE
rachel notley

The gloves are off - Alberta suspends electricity purchase talks with B.C.

READ MORE

Offshore wind

Offshore wind is set to become a $1 trillion business

READ MORE

iraqi electrician

Will Iraq have enough electricity for coming hot summer days?

READ MORE

powerlines

Report call for major changes to operation of Nova Scotia's power grid

READ MORE