Paddy Teehan, David Millborrow, Professor Mark O'Malley and Dr. Morgan Brizilian,
who were the main speakers at the Irish Wind Energy conference at the Arklow Bay Hotel.
| Source: Wicklow People | Date: 21st October 2004 | reporter: unknown |
PLANS TO build the world's largest offshore wind farm off the coast of County Wicklow may not be completed unless the Government coughs up millions of euro, a conference in Arklow heard last week.
Work on phase one of the Airtricity wind farm, off the south Wicklow coast, is already at an advanced stage. However, the conference was told that financial backing from the Government will be needed if the project is to progress to its planned second and third phases.
Mr. Martin Quinn, a projects manager with Airtricity, said that it costs more to produce electricity offshore than onshore, and it is for this reason that Government support is needed. He admitted that there is no guarantee that support will be forthcoming, but said his company remains hopeful: 'We still have not succeeded in convincing the Government to financially support the project, but we are continuing to lobby them,' he said.
Mr. Quinn was one of thirteen speakers to address the Irish Wind Energy Association conference on wind farms, both onshore and offshore, which was held in Arklow as it is the location for what will be the country's first and hopefully the world's biggest offshore wind-park.
Sited on the Arklow Bank, seven kilometres from the shore, the Arklow windpark will comprise 200 massive turbines if and when fully completed, with a capacity to generate enough electricity to serve a - city of 500,000 people.
Airtricity brought American company GE Wind Energy on board to construct, operate and own the demonstration phase of seven turbines, which has been producing electricity since June. Airtricity has the option of purchasing the project once it is proven.
Mr. Quinn revealed that Airtricity has taken Spanish company EHN, acknowledged as being the third biggest renewable energy company in the world, on board as a joint partner for phases one and two of the Arklow project. He said in relation to offshore windparks that there was huge potential and capacity out there. If our waters were utilised out to 40 metres depth, offshore wind-parks would produce more electricity than the entire EU consumes at the moment.
The 200 people attending the conference in the Arklow Bay Hotel were told that wind energy is the most secure source of electricity for Ireland and it is and will be available at stable prices into the future.
They heard that natural gas is not an acceptable secure source of generation for Ireland, as it will come at ever higher and more volatile prices.
Mr. Tim Cowhig, IWEA chairman, said "there is now a huge opportunity for Ireland to take advantage of our wind resource which is the best in Europe and the Irish Government can act in the best interest of Irish consumers by making sure that there are high levels of wind energy on Ireland's national grid".
Paddy Teehan, David Millborrow, Professor Mark O'Malley and Dr. Morgan Brizilian,
who were the main speakers at the Irish Wind Energy conference at the Arklow Bay Hotel.
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