Billions of euro of investment in Ireland’s wind energy sector is under threat if delays in the approval of the European Commission state aids process continues, according to chief executive of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) Kenneth Matthews.
Speaking ahead of his first IWEA conference, to be held in front of over 300 delegates in Killarney on Thursday, Matthews said the continuing delays in Ireland’s Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) scheme are giving competing nations an edge and diverting investment away from Ireland.
"Unfortunately, because of the delays in the REFIT programme, we do not have a stable policy framework that provides investors with transparency and certainty they need to make their investment. This is a very precarious position as they will not put their money into a market that lacks certainty, irrespective of what the potential from the sector is here or how unique our wind resources are," said Matthews.
IWEA estimates that by the end of this year there will be approximately 1,600Mw of wind connected to the system compared with the forecast level of 2,289Mw included its National Renewable Energy Action Plan submission to Brussels in June 2010. Based on the current protracted delays, IWEA does not expect to see development accelerated in any way over the next 12 months.
By 2020 it is hoped 40% of Ireland’s electrical supply will come from renewable sources, with energy demand to be reduced by 20%.
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