The war in the Ukraine should be a warning to Ireland to reduce its dependency on energy from outside the State, and at how the State’s energy use influences international conflict.
This is the view of Green Party Galway City West councillor, Niall Murphy, who said Ireland’s plans to reduce fossil fuel dependency have become increasingly important, both environmentally and politically.
“Sixty per cent of Russia’s exports are oil and gas. Europe’s dependence on that gas gives Putin power in two ways,” said Cllr Murphy. “One is that he can threaten to limit, or turn off, the supply. Secondly, it is the money paid for gas and oil which helps finance the Russian military.
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“Germany is highly reliant on Russian gas and so is inadvertently funding this war. Ireland gets most of its gas from the UK, and more than 50 per cent of our electricity depends on gas.”
The EU gets c40 per cent of its gas from Russia. By comparison, almost half of the gas piped into the UK comes from the North Sea, and a third from Norway, while Russian imports make up less than five per cent. However, the price of gas soared by 70 per cent since last week to 800p a therm – 20 times its level two years ago.
“If we use less gas, the remaining balance could be used to reduce the overall European dependency on Russia,” said Cllr Murphy. “This would have the dual benefit of ensuring better energy security for Ireland in future, and financially weakening Russia.”
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Cllr Murphy said reducing fossil fuel dependency is “our best weapon” and that the State needs to “double down” on policies that reduce fossil fuel use.
“Galway and the west of Ireland will have a crucial role to play in changing the energy landscape,” he said. “Offshore wind in the Atlantic will be the new black gold. Fossil fuels have concentrated power in a small set of countries and corporations, and over the coming decade we need to assert our energy independence.”
