Yes
Because of the threat of climate change, the production of emission-free electricity will be the single biggest industrial challenge of the 21st century. You will note that I use the words "emission-free" and not "pollution-free". This is because 100 per cent pollution-free electricity is not possible on a major scale. Even renewable electricity, such as wind energy, involves the possibility of some pollution. In the case of wind power, the pollution is of a visual kind. However, in the context of our obligations to combat climate change, society must decide what represents an acceptable type level of pollution. The usually minor - or often non-existent - negative visual impact of a wind turbine needs to be considered in the context of the much more dangerous pollution produced by the alternatives.
In other words, it is not sufficient to argue that because wind turbines are not aesthetically pleasing, wind energy should therefore be abandoned. If we don't produce electricity via wind energy, then it must be produced by some other means (over a five to 10-year time-frame, up to 1,200 megawatts of wind energy will be installed in Ireland). So, before dismissing one particular technology, we must satisfy ourselves that the other option is not going to be worse. There is no doubt that a shift from carbon-intensive coal and oil to cleaner gas will play a major role in reducing Ireland's COs2] emissions. However, our relative lack of indigenous gas reserves effectively limits the extent to which gas power can be utilised in Ireland. Even with the benefit of the Corrib gas field off the west coast, over a 10-year time-frame we will undoubtedly be extremely dependent on imported gas, even under current projections. Any expansion of gas power to replace the projected contribution of wind power would place the country in a strategically difficult position.
The exclusion of gas as an option (beyond what is already planned) leaves only one large-scale alternative - nuclear power - which some anti-wind activists put forward as a solution to the climate problem.
In a recent book, American financial journalist Brian O'Connell declared nuclear power to be preferable to wind, because wind turbines are noisy and unattractive. He views Chernobyl a "PR nightmare for the nuclear industry". Thyroid cancer among children in the area is dismissed as "usually treatable and seldom fatal".
Noise and visual impact have been the main complaints made against wind energy for many years. However, in recent years, improved technology has practically eliminated turbine noise. Furthermore, these issues are dealt with through Irish planning guidelines that forbid the location of wind turbines where their noise impact on housing would be above whisper level (which usually means a distance of at least half a kilometre from housing) and sets strict guidelines in relation to visual impact.
When sensible guidelines are adhered to, scientific research has shown that wind turbines can be favourably received by local communities. Research carried out by the Scottish Executive found that respondents were generally positive about windfarms. Those who lived nearest windfarms were more likely to have positive responses about them than those in other areas. For example, while 67 per cent overall reported a positive attitude to windfarms, this proportion increased to 73 per cent among those living close by.
Technological advances have also reduced the number of turbine stands needed, when compared to windfarms using older technology. This is because modern turbines are more efficient and more powerful. A couple of years ago turbines had average capacities of less than one megawatt; operationally proven machines capable of up to 2.5 megawatts are now available. The net effect of these improvements is turbines that need less exposed sites and less land to produce more electricity. Given that each megawatt of capacity in Ireland can supply 1,000 homes (much more than in less windy countries), this means that a single turbine stand can now provide enough electricity to power a small town.
With wind energy now poised for a major world expansion, the anti-wind energy lobby has refocused it attack, now claiming that wind energy is too expensive and dependent on subsidies.
In fact, the evidence of the decreasing cost of wind energy is voluminous. A recent report by Deutsche Bank estimates that, within two years, costs will have reached 2.7 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. This is significantly cheaper than gas powered electricity in Ireland. The long-term economics of gas-fired generation in Western Europe are dependent on Russian gas; if the Russians ever decide to replace their ageing nuclear reactors with gas turbines, the price of gas in Europe could rocket.
The fact is that, despite the occasional rumbling of dinosaurs like the nuclear lobby, wind energy is going to be one of the biggest technological revolutions of the 21st century. The European Commission has set a target of 22 per cent of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2010 - a target that will see billions of euros invested in wind power in Europe alone.
Because of its wind resources, Ireland is in a position to play a leading role in this technological revolution, which would create thousands of jobs in turbine manufacturing, R&D and support industries. Certainly we need to be cautious and maintain appropriate planning laws, but for the Republic not to take advantage of its wind energy resource would be shameful, particularly given the potential for large-scale offshore development, where noise and visual impact become non-issues and where energy experts forecast most growth. Eirtricity is currently developing the world's largest offshore wind park off the coast of Arklow, Co Wicklow. On the basis of emission figures for gas generation quoted in O'Connell's book (in support of nuclear power), this project will do away with the need for the emission of over 1,700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, although this estimate is probably a bit on the high side.
I firmly believe that this project can act as a focal point for the development of an indigenous Irish wind energy industry. The huge local support the project has enjoyed to date is obviously essential to its realisation, and confirms my view that the southeast can play a leading role in the European offshore wind industry.
At the end of the day, if the technology becomes obsolete and wind power is not seen as the way forward, turbines can be taken down. We will always have a choice. The children of Belarus were offered no such choice by Chernobyl.
Dr Eddie O'Connor is managing director of the Eirtricity group and vice-president of the European Wind Energy Association.