'An ill wind for renewables' (wind pwer) -TCE June 2008

[riven]

The London array which if build would be the largest offshore wind farm in thw world. However recently a major player Shell pulled its 33% share and is leaving the project. The project is now behind by more than 3 or 4 years.

The reasons cited are purely down to economics. The main problem is planning and planning delays. Onshore wind farms are 2-2.5 times cheaper to build due to less restrictive requirements in the US. But even in this market investment is relatively low key.

This has major implications from Britians renewable plans (15% of the grid). This goal would have required 33 Loondon arrays which now seems improbably optimistic.

Considering that leglislation here is behind that of britian, is Irelands wind farm game over?

[soubresauts]

Considering that leglislation here is behind that of britian, is Irelands wind farm game over?

It's not a game.

We need to stop burning fossil fuels.

Wind energy is clean energy.

Ireland is blessed with lots of wind.

Does that help you, riven?

[EoinMn]

Considering that leglislation here is behind that of britian, is Irelands wind farm game over?

Is it? How?

[riven]

Considering that leglislation here is behind that of britian, is Irelands wind farm game over?

It's not a game.

We need to stop burning fossil fuels.

Wind energy is clean energy.

Ireland is blessed with lots of wind.

Does that help you, riven?

Of course we need to stop. But England is also blessed with wihd and cannot even build one of its 33 fields needed (and these still only will cover half of the 15%). In that light where is the viability?

Considering that leglislation here is behind that of britian, is Irelands wind farm game over?

Is it? How?

Considering that UK has several offshore projects, this specific project still required several new legislative procedures: air travel, ecological, power tranmission lines etc. Ireland does not not large off shore projects and has little in the area.

[joel]

Considering that leglislation here is behind that of britian, is Irelands wind farm game over?

It's not a game.

We need to stop burning fossil fuels.

Wind energy is clean energy.

Ireland is blessed with lots of wind.

Does that help you, riven?

Of course we need to stop. But England is also blessed with wihd and cannot even build one of its 33 fields needed (and these still only will cover half of the 15%). In that light where is the viability?

Considering that leglislation here is behind that of britian, is Irelands wind farm game over?

Well, thats England for you. Terminal 5 took at least 10 years - and look what a balls they made of the opening.

[John_C]

Britain is a much more densely populated island than Ireland. We won't need to find anywhere near 33 offshore sites to meet similar targets.

[riven]

I know but a figure like 5-10 arrays would not be far off considering the london array would produce 1000MW.

[joel]

I know but a figure like 5-10 arrays would not be far off considering the london array would produce 1000MW.

Isn't offshore wind in the pipeline, now price guarantees have been given?

[DaveM]

We already have it - the Arklow Banks.

[Watcher1]

We already have it - the Arklow Banks.

We need much, much more. There is certainly something rotten in the planning process (or whatever) since we do not have wholesale wind farms both off shore and on shore. There is a lot of rubbish circulating about the benefits. So what if the wind does not blow all the time. We now have our interconnector with the UK (or is it just NI?) so we could sell electricity when the wind is good as it would produce more than we need, and then balance that with the imported electricity when the wind is not adeqaute. Further to this, we have now developed a commercially viable generated through wave technology which could compliment the wind generation. All that is needed is political and beaurocratic will. The cash is available to fund the projects.