Irish society will need to come to terms with significant changes in the nation’s transmission infrastructure and power generation sector in order to decarbonise the electricity system, according to Energy Minister Richard Bruton.
Bruton (pictured), who was addressing transmission system operator Eirgrid national conference, said the country must become more resilient to accommodate the “profound changes” that are needed to deal with climate change.
However, the Fine Gael TD said Ireland was already experiencing difficulties in delivering the change that is required.
He said “significant amounts of capital” will be required to have the infrastructure to use renewables to electrify the transport and heating sectors.
That capital will be largely required from people who don’t have “deep pockets”.
“It is a political challenge to get people to change the habits of a lifetime,” he said.
“We have to win the hearts and minds of communities to get that buy in.”
The challenge is also one for industry, the public service and all other walks of life and leaders cannot afford to react negatively to the climate change demands of young people.
“We may barb at the anger, frustration and finger pointing but there is no doubt we are the generation – perhaps the first ever – that will pass on the globe in worse condition than we found it so those fingers of accusation are correctly pointed at us,” he said.
“We have to be motivated to harness the energy out there among young people to drive the changes we have to make.”