During last week’s US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the former president inadvertently alighted on a significant issue for Ireland and the EU.
Trump said the German government’s shift away from fossil fuels had failed and it had resumed construction of coal and nuclear plants. The German foreign office posted a robust response via social media. It said that this was untrue; half of all its energy needs come from renewables and it had ceased building new coal and nuclear plants. Furthermore, coal would be completely removed from its grid by 2038.
Even though Trump’s main contention was inaccurate, the context was right. Energy supplies to Europe will become more precarious because of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Keir Starmer was in Washington over the weekend for discussions with president Biden about whether Ukraine should be allowed to attack Russia with longer range western weapons.
If the war escalates, energy supplies to Europe will be threatened. Ireland is more vulnerable than most other EU member states to supply shocks. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland 2023 annual report, Ireland imported 81.6 per cent of its energy requirements, compared to an EU average of 57 per cent. The most effective way of attaining energy security is through the development of alternative energy. The primary benefit of supplying the national grid from renewable energy is that it will reduce CO2 emissions. But there are also significant economic benefits. The parlous state of Ireland’s energy infrastructure is cited by multinationals as a cause for concern that could weigh on future investment.
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Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan unveiled the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy last May. The policy outlines a roadmap to developing 37 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2050, which would ensure energy self-sufficiency.
But for that to happen, changes to the planning laws and significant investment are essential.