Wind energy can help meet the challenge of Ireland’s growing energy crisis if the government acts to speed up the development of renewable energy.

Separate auctions for onshore and offshore renewable energy were due to take place this year but have been postponed by the government to late 2022.

As highlighted in last week’s Wind Energy Ireland report, 'Twelve months to deliver offshore wind energy', unless immediate action is taken it will not be possible to deliver the 5,000MW of offshore wind energy set out in the government’s ambition for 2030.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “We cannot ignore the growing urgency of the challenge we face. We need to speed up the development of renewable energy to avoid any scenario where we are looking at increased carbon emissions.

“This means that the onshore renewable energy auction, which was postponed to next year, must be brought forward. We need greater confidence in the auction timelines for offshore wind and the Maritime Area Planning Bill, which is currently before the oireachtas, must be amended to give us a realistic prospect of hitting our 2030 target.”

Wind energy has provided about 30% of Ireland’s electricity so far this year.