Latest news with #Cunniffe
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Public support for wind energy is fuelling optimism
As one of the country's greatest natural resources, wind energy is being backed by four out of five Irish people. A new national survey by Wind Energy Ireland found that 80% of the public support wind energy development, with 62% backing a wind farm in their local area — which marks a steady increase in support for Ireland's leading renewable resource. The survey found that more affordable electricity, reducing carbon emissions and positive environmental impacts were the driving factors of support. Wind energy's role in supporting Irish energy independence was also a leading motivator of public backing. 'Irish people are hugely supportive of wind energy and know it is the leading solution to rising energy costs and the climate emergency,' said Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland. 'Wind power is already helping to reduce electricity prices, cut carbon emissions, and create jobs in communities across the country. "With public support stronger than ever, we need to accelerate investment in grid infrastructure and skills to maximise the benefits for families, businesses and the environment." The report also found that 75% of those surveyed support offshore wind energy, with 82% recognising its role in securing Ireland's energy supply. 'Offshore wind represents an enormous opportunity for Ireland — it can be the basis of our national energy independence,' added Mr Cunniffe. 'Research has shown that Ireland's offshore wind farms could generate €38 billion for the Irish economy by 2050 if we can unlock its potential. "This survey proves we have the support of the Irish people but they want to see more and faster delivery. The Government needs to identify new sites for offshore wind energy projects around our coasts and reinforce the electricity grid to accommodate the enormous clean power these wind farms can produce.'
Irish Examiner
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Kerry and Cork tops as wind farms generate 35% of Irish electricity
Wind farms generated 35% of Ireland's electricity over the first four months of 2025, according to industry body Wind Energy Ireland. Average wholesale power prices fell for the third month in a row in April. The average wholesale cost of electricity has fallen from €167.51 in January to €111.11 in April, though this remains higher than prices for the same period last year. On days in April with the most wind power the average cost of a megawatt-hour of electricity was €101.33 but this rose to €124.20 on days when we relied almost entirely on fossil fuels. Demand for electricity during April 2025 fell marginally to 3,307 gigawatt-hours (GWh) from 3,315 GWh in the same month last year. The share of electricity demand met by wind energy last month was 28%, and over the four months has provided more than a third of Ireland's demand, Wind Energy Ireland chief executive Noel Cunniffe said. "At a time when our economy is under threat from tariffs, energy costs and global uncertainty we have a solution, ready-made, here in Ireland. Irish wind farms have cut bills by almost €1.7bn since 2020, that's around €320 per person," said Mr Cunniffe. Mr Cunniffe said Ireland spends €1m every hour importing fossil fuels, and estimated that tripling our onshore wind capacity would drive costs down. "Onshore wind energy is Ireland's most affordable source of new electricity. The more wind energy that we can develop, the less we rely on imported fossils fuels, and the better protected Irish families and businesses are from a volatile fossil fuel market," he said. Data from Green Collective showed Kerry wind farms provided most electricity in April with 111 GWh of power, around 12 per cent of the country's wind energy, followed by Cork (91 GWh), then Galway (63 GWh), Mayo (62 GWh), and Tyrone (59 GWh). Earlier this month, minister for climate, environment, energy, and transport Darragh O'Brien announced that work has started on a new national map to identify locations where future wind farms can be national Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for offshore wind will be developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and will involve extensive data-gathering and public consultation. It is due to be completed by the end of 2027. In April, a study by planning and environmental consultancy MKO commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland calculated that Ireland's capacity for further onshore wind development could triple.
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Wind farms produced 38% of Ireland's electricity in first three months of 2025
Irish wind farms provided 38% of the country's electricity over the first three months of 2025. The latest figures, published by Wind Energy Ireland, show that the demand for electricity during March 2025 increased slightly to 3,673 gigawatt-hours (GWh), up from 3,598 GWh in the same month last year. The share of electricity demand met by wind farms last month, at 33%, was slightly below the normal average for wind energy in March but the shortfall was partially compensated by a record month for solar power. Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: 'Every time a wind turbine is generating electricity, it is reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels. "Irish wind farms produce power without burning imported fossil fuels, which means we can cut our carbon emissions at the same time as we cut our fuel imports and our prices.' The report also shows that the average wholesale price of electricity in Ireland fell for the second consecutive month to €131.80 per megawatt-hour in March. Prices last month on days with the most wind power saw the average cost of a megawatt-hour of electricity fall to €112.26, but nearly double to €165.19 on days when we relied almost entirely on fossil fuels. Kerry wind farms led the way last month, producing more wind energy than any other county (135 GWh). They were followed by Cork (125 GWh), then Galway (89 GWh), and Mayo. Together, the top three counties produced over a quarter of Ireland's wind power in March. 'Irish wind farms, and particularly those in Kerry, are playing an enormous part in reducing Ireland's carbon emissions and creating funding for rural communities to invest in the priorities they choose for their area like sports grounds and community spaces," said Mr Cunniffe. 'As new wind farms connect to the grid the amount of money invested by our members in local communities will only grow. By developing our renewable energy sector, we can build an Ireland that is energy independent, delivering warm homes and cleaner air.'
