InBus_Win09_56-96:InBusiness 1-61 11/12/2009 13:10 Page 57
Energy Report | FEATURE
Bangladesh for example. Within the EU there seen an industry grow out of it. Also, a recent
are big, aggressive emissions targets which the study in Germany, undertaken when they were
countries hitting. In the future, hopefully we will renewing their fixed feed-in tariff, examined the
have energy sources which won’t create the cost-benefits of the system to the German
kind of problems that the old methods have economy. The results of the survey show that by
and I believe that looking ahead, it is something supporting renewable energy and different
which has be done. It is not a choice; it simply renewable technologies, the economy would
has to be done.” gain in the region of €3bn-5bn on an
Although the economic downturn affected annual basis.”
the energy sector, conversely, it was somewhat While there are strategies out there from
beneficial to efforts against climate change, as
Torben Andersen, Executive Director and CEO
which Ireland can learn from and adapt in the
Andersen explains, “I think we’re seeing a more
Onshore of Mainstream Renewable Power.
future, Gray and everyone at EirGrid, are
responsible approach to energy use across the concentrating on meeting targets in the
world and people are wary of energy costs and
“THERE ARE PROVINCES
immediate future and improving the energy
are cutting down where they can. Climate
change is in the news and on the political
IN CANADA, SUCH AS
availability for everyone in Ireland. “Last year,
we continued to roll out the Grid25 strategy,
agenda, and a lot of people are cutting down
ONTARIO, WHERE FIXED
which will help create an economic platform for
on energy consumption because of this. It is up
to governments to implement schemes which
FEED-IN TARIFFS FOR
growth in the future,” she says. “We achieved
planning permission for a number of projects,
are more efficient and will help us move away
WIND ENERGY HAVE
including the strategically important East-West
from burning oil and towards more renewable
energy sources like wind energy. These kind of
BEEN INTRODUCED.
Interconnector. Looking ahead, we will deliver
on the government targets for renewables in
ideas are filtering through and the recession has
I PREDICT THAT THEY
electricity generation for 2010. Under Gate 3 –
also prompted more caution in the how much
gas we burn. There’s a different focus now
WILL SEE A BIG BOOM
the CER (Commission for Energy Regulation)
criteria for selection of renewable projects for
on costs and that has made people
IN TERMS OF
connection to the Grid – we will commence
more responsible.”
“In the main, I think it is fair to say that we
ACTIVITY THERE.”
issuing offers before year-end. This will be a
significant milestone for the Irish energy sector.
had a successful year,” says Gray, “but the
– Torben Andersen
We successfully completed the acquisition this
energy sector was affected by the recession. year of SONI (System Operator Northern
This was as a result of reduced demand for legislation whereby the Ireland). This will enable us to operate a more
electricity. At EirGrid we monitor demand for regional and national energy efficient and integrated energy market. These
power and this year it has fallen by more than 5 providers are obligated to buy efficiencies will ultimately benefit all electricity
per cent. Like most companies, we have made a renewable energy at above-market users on the island.”
determined drive to reduce costs and promote rates set by the government.
efficiency and customer service. We expect “Denmark now has 20 per cent of its
demand next year to be down by more than energy coming from wind energy,”
one per cent, but we hope that it will recover to Andersen explains. “This has also
2008 levels between 2012 and 2014. created macro-economic benefits as
there is a big production industry
LOOK NORTH involved which has created a lot
Andersen believes we should look toward other of jobs and helped the
countries for examples of how we can introduce economy. Further afield, there
sustainable energy sources in Ireland, “I think are provinces in Canada, such
Scandinavia has set a good example in terms of as Ontario, where fixed feed-in tariffs for
using renewable energy; Norway and Sweden wind energy have been introduced. I predict
have managed to produce energy from that they will see a big boom in terms of
hydroelectricity, and in Denmark they utilise activity there. In the current environment, if
fixed feed-in tariffs to promote wind energy you really want to promote renewable
coming on stream. This was first introduced at a energy then you need to look at putting
time when wind energy would have been fixed prices in place. Scandinavian
more expensive.” governments made this decision many
A fixed feed-in tariff is an incentive structure years ago and they stuck to it.
aimed at encouraging the adoption of They have cut down on carbon
renewable energy through government emissions and they have
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