Airtricity Welcomes Support for Offshore Wind Farm Development PDF Print E-mail
Written by jonathan pitzer   
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Airtricity Logo
Airtricity Logo
Dublin: 8th February 2008. Airtricity, the country’s leading renewable energy company, today welcomed the decision by Minister Eamon Ryan to introduce a support mechanism for the development of Irish offshore wind farms. Commenting on the announcement, Paul Dowling, Airtricity Chief Executive said;  “This is a welcome announcement and one that Airtricity has been seeking for some time.  Development of Offshore wind is a key factor in Ireland achieving security of future energy supply. It is also crucial in assisting Ireland meet its 33% renewables and emission targets by 2020. We estimate that Ireland needs 4000MW of offshore wind to meet the current gap in emission targets of approximately 6 million tonnes.   To develop this will cost in the region of €13-€15bn therefore a support mechanism competitive with other EU nations is essential”. Mark Ennis, Airtricity's Director of Strategy and Public Policy added; “Given the German experience, development of 4000MW of offshore wind will result in lower electricity costs for customers and will assist Ireland become more self sufficient and remove the country’s reliance on gas and other fossil fuel imports.” "In a recent economical study on the cost benefit of wind published by the German Federal Government, they showed that support and system costs of wind at €3.8 billion generated between €7.5 - €9 billion of benefit through cost reductions to the German Consumer. With better quality wind in Ireland the benefits to the consumer should be even better", he concluded. Airtricity has long recognised the potential of offshore wind farm development and was the first company in Ireland to develop offshore wind.  In January 2002 the company obtained a foreshore lease to develop a 520MW offshore wind farm on the Arklow Bank.   The first phase (25.2MW) was completed in June 2004 in co-development with GE Energy and further phases were put on hold due to the lack of Government support for offshore wind.  The company then concentrated on other markets and in May 2006 announced its plans for development of Supergrid, a European Offshore project designed to marry the technology of offshore wind with the latest transmission technology.     The company has also made significant progress in developing the 500MW Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm off the Suffolk coast in the UK which was fully consented in January 2007. Airtricity has reserved the 140 turbines required for the project which is currently commencing construction.  When completed in 2010 this will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world
 
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