Annual Conference 2007

Renewable Energy Vital in Securing Ireland’s Energy Supply and Major Opportunity for Regional Development

Energy Experts Address BMW Regional Assembly Annual Conference

Delegates at the Border Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly’s Annual Conference which took place in Carlingford, Co. Louth today, (Wednesday, 13th June 2007), were informed of the major economic opportunities that renewable energy could present to the Border Midland and Western region, while also overcoming the looming fossil fuel crisis. Over 120 delegates attended the Conference which was addressed by experts from the private and public sectors and from the EU, national and local Government on renewable energy.

Opening the conference, Cllr. Terry Brennan, Chairman of the BMW Regional Assembly, stated the conference was convened in order “to focus attention on the opportunities available to promote regional development through the deployment of renewable energy from bio-mass, wind, tidal and other sources”. Cllr. Brennan informed the conference that renewable energy will be a major component of the EU co-financed Regional Operational Programme 2007-13.

The proposed measures include support for fuel efficient transport vehicles, demonstration projects for energy efficiency in industry, sustainable design of public buildings, introduction of smart metering technology, deployment of biomass heating systems in public and commercial buildings and the roll-out of sustainable development zones, the first of which is currently being piloted in Dundalk.

The keynote speaker at the conference, well-known TV Producer and Eco-Architect, Duncan Stewart spoke about Ireland’s looming energy crisis and the necessity to address Ireland’s increasing greenhouse gas emissions. He stated that a radical shift to renewable energy is required and that this can restore competitiveness, minimize long-term environmental effects, achieve greater energy security for Ireland and provide an employment stimulus to rural regions.

Mr. Stewart outlined the many facets of renewable energy crop production and processing, manufacturing and installation of renewable energy generation and heating systems, and the retro-fitting of insulation to buildings that would all generate opportunities for enterprises.

Mr. Kevin Hegarty, Head of Onshore Development, Airtricity, outlined the status of wind energy deployment in Ireland, the challenges facing the sector, and the constraints that need to be overcome in order for the enormous potential for wind energy generation to be fulfilled in Ireland.

Mr. Harry O’Connor, EU Commission Office in Ireland, presented the goals of EU energy policy as the reduction in CO2 emissions, the improvement of energy efficiency and increasing renewable energy’s share of consumption. Mr. Martin Finucane, Head of the Sustainable Energy Division in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources presented the key elements of the Government’s White Paper “Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland” and the targets that it sets for renewable energy. The National Development Plan outlines that 15% of our electricity generation will be from renewables by 2010.

Ms. Gillian Buckley, CEO, Western Development Commission, stressed the importance of energy infrastructure as an enabler of regional development, the natural advantages that the Western region offered as a producer of renewable energy, and the potential economic benefits in terms of income and employment that would arise. Ms. Bernadette Phelan, WDC, presented two case studies: a community investment model and a wood energy development project.

Mr. Lawrence Staudt, Head of the Renewable Energy Research Centre at Dundalk IT, set out the global energy context and the trends of Ireland’s energy demand and consumption. Mr. Staudt outlined the options available to Ireland to sustain security of supply and recommended that a substantial renewable energy development programme should be introduced.

Prof. James Burke, Head of National Crops and Plant Biotechnology Centre at Teagasc, also addressed the conference.

Click here to Download the Power Point Presentations

Back to Conference Index Page