Wind Energy in Ireland - A Position Paper by Good Energies Alliance Ireland

1. Wind Energy in
Ireland
A Position Paper by
Good Energies Alliance Ireland

2. 16 March, 2015 2
Do you know…
In Ireland:
• 85% of our energy comes from fossil fuels - 90% of
which is imported
• In 2012, Ireland’s import bill was estimated at €6.5
billion and the use of the fossil fuels was responsible
for 58 million tons of CO2 emissions
• By November 2014 the Republic of Ireland had 182
wind farms, with a total installed capacity of
2190MW

3. 16 March, 2015 3
The Thesis of our study
The development of wind energy is an essential
part of the decarbonisation of energy
production in Ireland but such developments
must have genuine benefits for and buy-in from
the Irish people.

4. 16 March, 2015 4
Wind energy –
main arguments against
• Few benefits for the local communities
• No consultation during the planning process
• Wind energy is intermittent
• Wind turbines impact people, the
environment and the wildlife

5. 16 March, 2015 5
Wind energy –
counter-arguments for
Each argument against wind energy was analysed
in detail and answered.
In addition we found study cases:
• Isle of Gigha, Scotland
• Languedoc-Roussillon Region, France
• Rheinland-Pfalz Region, Germany
... and drew conclusions from them!

6. 16 March, 2015 6
We agree with the Thesis
“The development of wind energy is an essential part of
the decarbonisation of energy production in Ireland but
such developments must have genuine benefits for and
buy-in from the Irish people.”
It is supported by the three pillars of sustainable
development:
1. Social implications,
2. Economic gains and
3. Environmental protection.

7. 16 March, 2015 7
Social implications
Involving the people in project planning leads to
greater acceptance. Where the community has a
real stake in the project, it gets people more
involved in community life.
Community ownership leads to community
pride!

8. 16 March, 2015 8
Economic gains
Wind energy substitutes for fossil fuels. For the
2010 – 2014 period:
• wind generation meant €1 billion less spend
on energy imports
• 12 million tones reduction in CO2 emissions
Wind energy projects can give revenue to local
communities and will create many jobs.

9. 16 March, 2015 9
Environmental protection
Wind energy will:
• reduce carbon emissions in Ireland and
combat global warming.
• reduce air pollution, which globally is the 6th
leading cause of death.
• cause less negative impact environmentally
than fossil fuel power plants.

10. 16 March, 2015 10
What we learned!
• A collaborative planning process is essential in
Ireland for wind energy projects to be
acceptable to communities
• Communities must get real benefits
• The more wind power, the more constant the
electricity output
• Noise and visual impact are generally
subjective

11. 16 March, 2015 11
GEAI Position
GEAI supports the future development of wind energy and
considers that the development of wind energy, both on-shore
and off-shore, is an essential part of the decarbonisation of
energy production in Ireland.
However, GEAI believes that wind energy projects must
include a fully consultative planning process involving different
stakeholders in the development process; and also must
include genuine benefits for the Irish people and, in the case
of on-shore developments, local communities.
GEAI fully supports and encourages community ownership of
wind energy projects and small neighbourhood wind energy
projects.