Sir, – In 2004, to much fanfare, Ireland’s first offshore wind turbines were installed at Arklow Bank for phase one of a planned large offshore wind farm development. Although at one point it was planned to install 193 turbines, the small step of seven turbines never developed any further, and now we are left 21 years later with the wind farm having come to the end of its useful operational life being decommissioned. The result of this is that Ireland now has zero operational offshore wind turbines.
I find it increasingly difficult to understand why Ireland, an island nation with one of Europe’s richest wind resources and vast offshore territory, has demonstrated a lack of delivery of the promises made by Government to be a leading clean, secure and renewable energy generator. Our inaction feels both wasteful and irresponsible.
The contrast with our neighbours is stark. The UK has about3,000 offshore wind turbines installed, enough to power millions of homes and significantly reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Denmark, a country with a smaller population and coastline than Ireland, built the world’s first offshore wind farm in 1991 and now generates a substantial share of its electricity from approximately 700 offshore wind turbines.
READ MORE
Ireland, by comparison, continues to talk about potential while failing to deliver it. We have one of the largest maritime areas in Europe (10 times our land mass), yet we remain heavily dependent on imported gas and oil. This leaves households vulnerable to price shocks and undermines our climate commitments.
It also means we are missing out on the economic opportunities that offshore wind has brought to places like Hull, Esbjerg and Aberdeen: skilled jobs, investment and thriving coastal industries.
Like many people, I have watched energy bills rise, seen storms grow more severe, and felt the growing anxiety of a climate crisis that is no longer distant. It is hard to explain to younger generations why Ireland, with all its natural advantages, is still years behind where it should be.
Offshore wind is not a silver bullet, but it is one of the most powerful tools we have. The Government must accelerate planning, grid upgrades and delivery so that offshore wind becomes a reality this decade – not the next. Other countries have shown that it can be done. Ireland has no excuse not to follow.
This is not a lack of potential – it is a lack of Government delivery. – Yours, etc.
AODHÁN BREEN,
Cabinteely,
Dublin
Sir, – In light of ongoing global wars and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, energy security for Ireland and Europe has become more critical.
According to The Irish Atlantic Energy Vision , we have wind capacity off the west coast beyond that of any other country. According to estimates, we could provide 600GW of energy from floating wind turbine platforms, enough to power the whole of Europe.
The advantages to Ireland include the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs, an annual income of one billion euros, the reversal of regional decline, and, most importantly, the provision of indefinite energy security.
What is the Government waiting for?
This could be our Kennedy moment; when at Rice University, he announced the goal of aiming for the moon. To paraphrase, “we choose to do this not because it is easy but because it is hard ... the goal is one we are unwilling to postpone and one we intend to win”.
No doubt there are technical, financial and political challenges, but now is the time for Ireland to demonstrate determination, willingness and courage. – Yours, etc,
EAMON REGAN,
Ballinteer Road,
Dublin 16
