Wind Power Is Key To Irish Future

Energy Minister, Pat Rabbitte TD,  has highlighted the increasing  importance of wind power in  Ireland’s energy future.  Speaking at the spring  conference of the Irish Wind  Energy Association in Dublin, the  Minister stressed the importance  of a national electricity grid that  will be able to carry the wind  energy at least cost and  maximum efficiency.  He stated: “This requires the  ongoing roll out of the Grid 25  programme together with delivery  of the essential North South  transmission reinforcements and  the completion of the East West  Interconnector. While maintaining  a viable and effective market, we  need to ensure that new projects  can develop into the future. To do  this we need to see critical  infrastructure built out. The focus  now must be firmly on delivery. In  particular, the delivery of our vital  energy infrastructure projects to  underpin our collective security of  supply.  “The Government, working  together with the UK  Government, acknowledges the  scale of the renewable energy  resources of these islands and  through the British Irish Council  and other fora, is actively working  to develop cross border trade in  renewable energy initially between  Ireland and the UK but also, in  time, to mainland Europe.”