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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Developing a new national plan for offshore wind energy
At the start of May, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O'Brien TD announced that work has started on a new national map to identify locations where future offshore wind farms can be developed. The national Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for offshore wind will be developed by the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy, and will involve extensive data-gathering and public consultation. It is due to be completed by the end of 2027. Ireland's first DMAP was approved by the Oireachtas late last year and identified four sites off the coast of Waterford for new offshore wind farms. The map was produced following an extensive public consultation with coastal communities in Waterford, Cork, and Wexford and was informed by detailed environmental, scientific and engineering expertise. The fishing community on the south coast was heavily involved in the process, working with the Government to ensure that, as much as possible, the impact on fishing activity from the development of offshore wind energy within the DMAP was minimised. Four areas off the south coast of Ireland have been identified for offshore wind in the Government's draft "DMAP". An auction for the first of those four sites, known as Tonn Nua — the Irish for 'New Wave' — will be held before the end of the year to build a 900 MW wind farm at that location though there continues to be uncertainty over the Government's plans for the three other sites. Managed and sustainable 'The use of strategically planned DMAPs will ensure that developments in Ireland's maritime area take place in a managed and sustainable way,' said Minister O'Brien. 'An integrated, national approach will ensure that strategic forward planning for skills, enterprise and the industry-wide supply chain development can take place. 'Ports will have the ability to forward plan for the necessary large-scale offshore infrastructure build-outs required to support ORE development, while forward planning for grid and interconnection can occur within the framework of a long-term holistic view. By focusing on a single DMAP, we will be able to maximise our resources.' The Irish wind energy industry welcomed the announcement as providing greater certainty and ambition for Ireland's offshore wind energy future while highlighting concerns about the timeline for completion. Industry response 'This will take time,' said Wind Energy Ireland CEO Noel Cunniffe, 'and our members will do everything they can to help speed things up, but once complete this will provide enough sites to accelerate the development of offshore renewable energy and to put Ireland firmly at the heart of Europe's response to the energy and climate crises. 'But it won't be done in 2027 if the resources, the personnel and the expertise isn't in place to ensure we hit that target. The offshore wind industry has struggled with missed deadlines from Government in the past and we can't afford more slippages.' The industry sees the budget later this year as, effectively, the Government's only opportunity to allocate enough funding if the 2027 deadline is to be hit. Resources will be needed to collect and buy data on Ireland's maritime area, to commission marine surveys and to ensure a thorough and transparent public consultation. It will also be critical to ensure that the development of the new national DMAP aligns with plans for new Marine Protected Areas. Legislation has long been promised to help Ireland meet its international obligation to designate 30 per cent of Irish waters as Marine Protected Areas by 2030. Marine protection While the Bill is listed as a priority in the Government's legislative calendar it is unlikely it will be enacted before work on the national DMAP is, at a minimum, significantly advanced. It is a challenge of which Minister for State at the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy with special responsibility for the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, is very conscious. 'As an island nation with an extensive maritime territory, Ireland has one of the best offshore wind resources in the world,' he said. 'The development of offshore wind projects, including floating offshore wind and other innovative technologies throughout our coastal areas, offers enormous economic opportunities for coastal communities, in terms of jobs growth and local community development. 'It also provides the opportunity to align with future Marine Protected Areas. The DMAP development process will be inclusive and will provide comprehensive consultation opportunities.' The development of the new national map has the potential to boost confidence in Ireland as a place to invest within the wider offshore wind energy industry and to produce a strong pipeline of new projects. But doubts persist over whether the Government will be able to meet the timeline it has set itself. And while work on the national DMAP must start immediately the greater priority is the remaining five offshore projects already in the planning system. With the likely loss of the Sceirde Rocks project off the coast of Galway the risks to the other projects must be minimised and this has to be at the top of Minister O'Brien's to-do list.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
MoECC highlights Qatar's climate adaptation plan steady progress
QNA Doha Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Eng. Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud has affirmed that Qatar is moving steadily towards the development and implementation of a comprehensive National Adaptation Plan (NAP) which aims to enhance the country's readiness to confront growing climate challenges and to mitigate their impacts across various vital sectors. This came during his opening remarks at a workshop on 'The Future of Climate Change in Qatar: Assessing Measures and Setting Priorities'. The workshop was attended by representatives from government entities, the private sector, academic institutions and international organizations, and local and international experts. He explained that climate change is no longer merely an environmental issue, but has become an economic and developmental challenge impacting strategic sectors such as water and food security, public health, infrastructure, and biodiversity. The workshop represents a pivotal milestone in the development of the National Adaptation Plan, which is based on a scientific approach and a strategic vision that relies on long-term climate impact assessments and aligns with Qatar's national sustainable development strategies and priorities, HE added. The adaptation plan, he noted, is consistent with the country's commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), particularly regarding the Global Goal on Adaptation outlined in the Paris Agreement. He emphasized that the plan also contributes to enhancing transparency and reporting through national reports submitted to the UN Secretary-General's office on climate change. He pointed out that the proposed measures within this plan have been developed through active participation from various stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, academic institutions, and international organizations reflecting a comprehensive and participatory approach to shaping climate adaptation policy in Qatar. Eng. Al Mahmoud concluded his remarks by stressing that the success of the National Adaptation Plan relies on continued cooperation and coordination among all relevant parties, and on adopting practical and scientifically grounded actions. He called on participants to share their opinions and expertise in support of implementing the priority measures to be adopted at the end of the workshop. The workshop featured a detailed presentation on the criteria selection process used to classify adaptation measures. This was followed by a sectoral vote, where attendees were divided into six groups representing key sectors: agriculture and livestock, water, energy, industries and infrastructure, coastal resilience and biodiversity, and public health. Each group identified top priority adaptation measures within their sector based on the approved criteria. Additionally, the World Café method was adopted to facilitate cross-sector discussions, culminating in a consolidated list of Qatar's climate adaptation priorities. Participants used 'Mentimeter' to contribute to the final prioritisation process.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Old Farmer's Almanac predicts Greater Akron's summer to be hotter than average
Memorial Day has come and gone, and summer is right around the corner. Will this summer season bring warmer-than-usual temperatures and higher levels of rain in Summit County than last summer, where droughts were seemingly commonplace? Here are some climate predictions from the Old Farmer's Almanac as well as the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center. The first day of summer this year will be Friday, June 20. Weather in June will be normal but temperatures in July and August are expected to be above average. Last summer was reportedly Earth's hottest summer since at least 1880, and this summer's weather may be just as "intense," according to the Farmer's Almanac. Rainfall will also be above normal. The NWS's Climate Prediction Center forecasts temperatures and precipitation are likely to be above average for summer 2025. The Old Farmer's Almanac uses three disciplines to make its weather predictions: solar science, climatology, and meteorology. "We predict weather trends and events by comparing solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity," its website states. Weather predictions are accurate about 80% of the time, according to its website. Predictions for the 2023-2024 winter season were less accurate than normal, with a total accuracy rate of 64%. This included being 83.3% accurate in precipitation predictions and 44.4% accurate in temperature predictions. These inaccurate predictions were a reflection of abnormal weather patterns, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@ or on Twitter @athompsonABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: old Farmer's Almanac predicts hotter average summer for Akron in 2025
Agriland
5 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
‘We need to move faster' on emissions targets
The Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O'Brien has said that the latest projections from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published today (Wednesday, May 28) are a clear signal that, while there has been progress, we need to move faster to meet 2030 climate targets. Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector 'will range from a 1% increase to a 16% decrease over the period of 2018 to 2030', according to the EPA. Minister O'Brien commented: 'The government is fully aware of the scale of the climate challenge and the importance for Ireland to be a leader in accelerating climate action. '… We are undergoing a renewables-led energy transformation. Coal is on the way out, and renewables are now the backbone of our power mix; electricity generation from renewables has increased fivefold since 2005. 'It is estimated that renewables provided 40% of our electricity demand in 2024. 'We are continuing to support the delivery of renewable energy in Ireland through the transposition of the Renewable Energy Directive II and III, providing important permitting and legal reforms, and further RESS and ORESS auctions to support additional onshore and offshore renewable energy,' the minister added. He explained that Ireland is also delivering new interconnectors; the Greenlink interconnector to the UK is now operational, doubling Ireland's interconnector capacity. Construction of the Celtic interconnector to France is on track to be completed by 2026/2027 and the North-South project is advancing. Minister O'Brien said that these projects boost energy security and allow greater import/export of clean power. 'This is backed by concrete action; emissions fell by 6.8% in 2023. GDP has seen a six-fold increase and the population has increased by nearly 50% since 1990,' he added. 'Yet, emissions are lower today than they were then. That's real decoupling of emissions from economic activity – and few countries in Europe have achieved it under similar pressure. 'We're also seeing progress in other areas. Electric vehicle sales are up – by 23% in April alone – and not just in cities. 'Rural counties like Carlow are showing real momentum with a 42% increase in EV sales for the first four months of the year compared to last year,' he added. The minister also referenced the uptake of solar, the Renewable Heat Obligation and schools education and awareness as other drivers of the positive climate trend in Ireland. He continued: 'We know that the EPA projections are not absolute forecasts; they reflect delivery to date. 'The first Climate Action Plan of this government was delivered last month. Cross-departmental taskforces are in place. 'Governance arrangements have been strengthened, with the first meeting of the new Climate Action Programme Board held last week, involving senior officials from all the main sectors – including energy, transport and agriculture. 'Its remit is clear: to focus on accelerated delivery of the actions needed to close the emissions gap,' Minister O'Brien concluded.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois lawmakers consider fixes to energy policy that's been outpaced by power-hungry technology
CHICAGO — When Illinois enacted a sweeping clean energy law in 2021, the state was seen as ahead of the curve in promoting renewable energy standards and creating clean energy jobs. But with advances in technology such as generative artificial intelligence driving up energy usage across the country, Illinois lawmakers from both parties, as well as environmental advocates, say the state's energy policy has fallen behind. In the final days of the spring session, lawmakers are working on a legislative package aimed at addressing the state's growing energy needs and rising costs without derailing the ambitious goals championed by Gov. JB Pritzker to make the state carbon-free by midcentury. 'What we're trying to do is find ways to ensure those capacity spikes don't continue for years into the future, and there's really only two ways of doing that, and that's by either decreasing demand for electricity or increasing supply,' said state Sen. Bill Cunningham, a Chicago Democrat who's leading energy legislation efforts in the Senate. 'I think that's really the underlying impetus for energy bills this session.' Due to supply cost increases, the average bill for a residential Commonwealth Edison customer is expected to increase this summer by $10.60 per month. The typical Ameren customer's monthly bill is expected to increase by approximately 18% to 22%, depending on their usage. Cunningham said while lawmakers don't have control over the expected increased electricity charges going into effect this June, they can work to mitigate future spikes. The state's past energy legislation, such as the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which aims for 40% renewable energy by 2030, did not account for the dramatic rise in energy usage from data centers and other large energy developers, Cunningham said. There are several business developments, such as data centers, being planned in Illinois that could bring a total of 30 gigawatts of electricity, the equivalent of 3 billion light bulbs, to the grid starting in 2029, according to Anna Markowski, Midwest director of Place-Based Advocacy on Climate and Energy for the Natural Resources Defense Council. That's more than double the grid's current maximum capacity, Markowski said. A study by the Illinois Commerce Commission released early May estimated that the state could lose approximately $12 billion in direct development investments, along with $60 billion in hardware and systems investments, for every gigawatt of power that can't be provided. 'The markets are screaming at us, saying build more generation,' said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. 'Everyone's bidding for a limited amount of power.' Lawmakers sent a 600-page draft of energy legislation to stakeholders in early May, less than two weeks before the end of session. The measure's proposals range from expanding nuclear energy to increasing large-scale energy storage in batteries. One proposal would require new data centers and other large energy users building in Illinois to bring their own renewable energy to the grid, or pay a higher fee into the state budget that would fund other renewable projects. The measure is backed by environmental interests and others who say the companies building large data centers and other businesses that sap energy resources should pay more, instead of having the burden fall on homeowners and small-business users. 'Once those big loads start to come on the grid, we're going to start to see instability,' Markowski said. 'We're going to start to see costs transferred onto every household, and so what we're trying to do within the bill is protect against that by making them bring new energy. You can't just cannibalize whatever we have here.' Illinois electrical consumers, from residential consumers to commercial data centers, are already required to pay a fee to the state's renewable portfolio standards, which fund the part of the state budget used to award grants to renewable energy developers. But the fee for new data centers and other large energy users would be three times larger under the latest proposal. Denzler warned the higher fee could have an adverse impact on economic development in the state. 'I mean your costs right there are going to be astronomical for a large user, and they're just going to go to Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and other states,' Denzler said. Another proposal that's received increased support this year is a plan that could expand nuclear power by lifting a moratorium on the construction of new nuclear plants, an idea organized labor and manufacturers have historically backed while environmental groups have opposed. Gov. Pritzker has indicated support for the idea of allowing flexibility on new nuclear plants, a shift from his previous position against large-scale nuclear plants. He vetoed a bill to lift the state's decade-old moratorium on new nuclear plants in 2023. 'We're looking forward to having a bill that comes to my desk that will allow us to expand the options for nuclear in the state of Illinois,' Pritzker said in mid-April. 'But it has to be done in the right way, and I think the legislature and my team are working together to make sure that that happens.' The legislative draft also would create an ambitious new goal for large-scale energy storage through large batteries that would absorb excess wind and solar power for later use, along with goals to deliver clean, low-cost energy, while also promoting several efficiency measures supporting virtual power plants. Cunningham said that if the larger legislative package does not come together, proposals within the measure could still be pushed as individual bills. 'We'll see if it bears fruit,' Cunningham said. ____
