A detailed analysis of the potential for more onshore wind energy in Ireland
MKO is delighted to have the opportunity to undertake this important research project on behalf of Wind Energy Ireland, which aims to quantify Ireland’s future onshore wind energy potential.
Onshore wind energy has been the bedrock of Ireland’s decarbonisation efforts to date and will continue for many years to come. If we are to decarbonise the economy by 2050 in line with Government plans and policies, it will take thousands of decarbonisation projects. As a country, we are now consistently generating ~40% of the country’s electricity from renewables every quarter, or every year. That has only been possible by building one wind farm or solar farm at a time. It will only be possible to get to an electricity mix of 80% renewables by continuing to build one wind farm or solar farm at a time. Every project counts in this effort.
By establishing Ireland’s future onshore wind energy potential, we can show a pathway to further decarbonisation of the electricity system through the addition of at least an additional 6GW of onshore wind, which could bring the total onshore capacity to 15GW+. This research confirms the land is available and accessible, provided the correct policies are implemented to support the ambition.
Brian Keville, Managing Director, added, “Ireland has significant additional potential to harness our indigenous onshore wind energy resource. This analysis clearly demonstrates that a significant amount of onshore wind energy can be delivered in just two percent of the country’s land mass, while taking account of planning and environmental constraints and design requirements.”