Declan Murphy on Ireland's Future Energy Security

Comments 1-1 of 1

John Dillon says: 26 Jan 2010 15:32

Ireland will need a more diversified energy mix than a purely gas/wind combination.Whilst Corrib is important, our bridging solution will need to have a broad base.We must not isolate ourselves from technological advancements in clean coal and nuclear.As mentioned in the video,a national vision needs to be articulated quickly.

About this Event

21 Jan 2010 @ 12:45

Ireland's Future Energy Security

Podcast available for download here

Declan Murphy, Founder of the Ecology Foundation, launched the foundation’s latest report; Energy Security: Ireland on the Edge at a lunchtime meeting of the IIEA’s working group on EU energy policy. Mr Murphy used the opportunity to highlight Ireland’s potential to become a hub for renewable energy development and to encourage discussion of the issues, which in his opinion are currently hindering this potential. He predicted a 20-year transition period before Ireland could expect to be a leading supplier of renewable energy to the European market and a world leader in energy services and Intellectual property in the area. Achieving Energy security will be a key factor in Ireland’s success or failure to achieve these aims alongside financial stability and the presence of a national vision. Exploration of the Corrib gas field was highlighted by Mr Murphy as crucial to meeting the first challenge and providing a “bridging solution” whilst Ireland makes the transition to a 100% renewable energy mix.

He estimated that infrastructure projects on average take a generation longer than in the US, UK or France and highlighted the following obstacles which need to be overcome; Political Delays, Political Inertia, Civil Service Culture, Finance and cost per kWh, Retro-fitting the grid, Environmental opposition, Energy storage and the Risk assessment regime.

He stated that progress could be made in 2010 with the achievement of the following deliverables;

- Prioritised planning consent for energy security and renewables with 12 month turnaround times

- A €5bn government fund for energy projects

- €200m private seeded innovation fund for Irish renewable start ups

- Direct and streamlined grid access

- Offshore grid plans for connection with UK and Europe

- Information campaign to raise awareness of Ireland’s renewable energy potential.

Mr Murphy stated that the Corrib gas field was key to breaking Ireland’s dependency on imports and reducing its vulnerability to supply shocks in the short-term. He estimated that Corrib could provide 40-60% of Ireland’s gas imports over a 15 year period. He discussed issues which have delayed the project thus far and proposed solutions for resolving the remaining issues of contention

Ireland’s Energy security situation:

Ireland’s current energy mix is 96% reliant on fossil fuels, the 4th largest fossil fuel dependency in the EU. Energy imports constitute 90% of Ireland’s total energy use, at an estimated cost of €6bn to the Irish exchequer annually and tranported from Scotland via a single pipeline. Ireland’s is required to maintain 11 days of energy supply in reserve, compared to an EU average of 60 days.

http://www.theecologyfoundation.ie/

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