Call for investment in grid amid claims 10% of cheapest renewable electricity lost due to inefficiency
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A renewable energy sector representative body has renewed its call for ramped-up investment into Ireland's electricity grid ahead of the nearing European elections.
Wind Energy Ireland added that there is “a particular responsibility” on candidates in the Midlands-North-West constituency to support the delivery of the North-South Interconnector to boost the development of renewable energy projects.
“Every year, about 10% of Ireland’s cheapest renewable electricity is lost because our existing grid is simply not strong enough or efficient enough to carry all the renewable electricity that our wind farms produce,” said Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland.
"That is why we are encouraging candidates to include the development and funding of key infrastructure projects, like building our electricity grid, in their top priorities for election," he said.
Meanwhile, Wind Energy Ireland has also called on candidates in upcoming elections to support transport electrification, despite falling demand for electric cars.
The lobby group urged politicians running in the upcoming local elections to deliver electric vehicle charging infrastructure and work to electrify council transport fleets.
“Developing our local electric vehicle [EV] charging network and providing the right infrastructure for people making the switch to EVs should be at the centre of our efforts to inspire people to change,” said Mr Cunniffe.
However, Wind Energy Ireland’s efforts to boost electrification may be in vain amid waning interest due to price volatility.
The number of electric cars licensed since the start of 2024 dropped 4% compared to the same period a year earlier, Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures from earlier this month showed.
Some of the biggest players in the industry, including Elon Musk’s Tesla and Chinese electric car giant Byd have engaged in a price war due to the weakening customer demand.
These price cuts caused some upset to those who had purchased a new EV in 2023, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), as the depreciation of their vehicle was accelerated.