EPA report confirms wind energy is Ireland’s climate change leader

The report found that carbon emissions fell in 2019 by 4.5 per cent – the largest drop since 2011 – and that this was largely fuelled by an 11 per cent fall in electricity generation emissions as cheap wind energy increasingly displaces coal and peat.

Dr David Connolly, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association, said: “Every new wind farm means less carbon emissions, a cleaner energy system and more jobs and investment at home.

“Today’s figures from the EPA show that wind energy is leading the way in decarbonising Ireland’s electricity supply.

“We are on track to do even better in 2020 and, as our growing number of onshore wind farms are soon joined by significant amounts of offshore wind, we can look forward to becoming Ireland’s main source of electricity later this decade.”

Climate Action Plan

The EPA report found that electricity generated from wind increased by 16 per cent in 2019, with renewables accounting for 37.6 per cent of electricity generated. The Climate Action Plan has a target for 70 per cent of Ireland’s electricity to come from renewable energy by 2030.

Dr Connolly said: “The EPA’s figures show we are heading in the right direction but we will need Government to act to speed up the planning system, develop our electricity grid and clear the way for offshore wind development if we are to hit 70 per cent by the end of the decade.”