The Irish government’s renewable energy targets are “destined to fail” without significant investment and expansion in the national electricity grid, according to a new report.
The Irish Academy of Engineering, in the ‘The Future of Electricity Transmission In Ireland’ study, said the country will “struggle” to hits it 70% green target by 2030.
Ten questions are raised in the report that require “urgent consideration” to hit the goals, said the group.
Principal among these is the social acceptability of transmission expansion by local communities. Based on European experience, the Academy suggests that the Government must take direct ownership of this issue.
IAE president Jim Browne said the study shows the existing grid will be unable to transport power from new renewable energy projects to places where it’s needed.
“By not overcoming this hurdle, Ireland will fail to reach its 2030 target, resulting in a hugely disappointing failure towards our obligations on climate action,” he said.
“There is a way to ensure that…targets are met and it includes the Government and Minister Eamon Ryan (pictured), who is responsible for the Climate Action agenda, taking direct ownership of the grid expansion issue.
“Countries such as Denmark and Germany have already done this and as a result, they have successfully addressed public objections to the expansion of their electricity networks.”