Midlands-North-West MEP Colm Markey says Ireland needs to dramatically pick up the pace when it comes to the rollout of renewable energy projects.
He made the comments during a visit to Bord Gáis Energy in Monksland, Athlone, on Friday, December 1. The Midlands-North-West MEP said Ireland is exposed due to its reliance on imported energy.
“I welcome the construction of the new gas power plant here in Monksland, and in particular its ability to run on renewable gas when available. However, substantial effort is required to kick-start renewable projects elsewhere and ensure our energy independence.
"Currently, we are completely exposed due to a lack of indigenous energy sources and rely on other countries to supply us with gas and oil. The recent ‘Energy Security in Ireland to 2030’ report from the Government pointed to risks in the event of disruption to infrastructure. This should serve as a wake-up call to get the ball rolling on renewables before it’s too late.
“Streamlining complex regulatory procedures, redeveloping the national grid and investing in our ports to support offshore production are just some of the key issues that need to be tackled in order to overcome the aspirational gap and get on with delivery.
"We simply cannot rely on windy days to achieve the target of producing 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. By taking swift and decisive actions, we can address these issues and create a more resilient and affordable energy future for our citizens," MEP Markey stated.
