A wind energy development co-operative in County Clare today announced plans to construct one of Ireland’s largest wind farms. The country's largest community wind farm is to be developed on Mount Callan in County Clare. The project, West Clare Renewable Energy, involves 30 farm families; will require an investment of €200m; to be capable of meeting the energy needs of all of Clare and half of County Limerick. In related news, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI)  said today, that the Irish economy recorded savings of €750m in 2007 as a result of energy efficiency measures undertaken since 1995.

The Clare farmers collectively own more than 3,000 acres of mostly elevated land on Mount Callan - -  a 391-metre high mountain  -  - between Ennis and Miltown Malbay - where it is planned to construct 30 three megawatt wind turbines. 300 jobs are expected to be provided during the two and a half year construction phase.

Company chairman and Clare-based entrepreneur Padraig Howard said that Mount Callan offered the perfect combination of wind resource, transmission lines and available land for wind farms: “WCRE believes that this site represents an optimal location for a renewable energy project of this nature and meets all the principles of sustainability. We have employed what we believe are the leading environmental and planning experts, who have carried out detailed wildlife, geological and hydrological studies on site at Mount Callan over the last three years. Their reports have confirmed that from an environmental perspective Mount Callan is a suitable location for a wind farm development. A detailed environmental impact study is to be submitted with the planning application.”

Today's announcement comes weeks after the Spirit of Ireland- National Project for Energy Independence project, which looks  to construct Hydro Storage Reservoirs, wind farms in suitable locations and place the cabling needed to connect Ireland’s new Natural Energy to our homes and businesses.

Annual energy efficiency savings reached €750m in 2007   

The Irish economy recorded savings of €750m in 2007 as a result of energy efficiency measures undertaken since 1995. The economy recorded a 10% improvement in energy efficiency between 1995 and 2007 and the savings made in 2007 alone were the equivalent to the annual energy usage of half a million houses. These are some of the findings of a new report on energy efficiency published today by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). The report, Energy Efficiency in Ireland 2009, shows that Ireland performed better than the European average for energy efficiency gains in both the residential and industrial sectors.

Highlights:

• Total final consumption of energy in the economy would have been 8.4% higher in 2007 were it not for energy efficiency improvements made since 1995

• The energy savings due to energy efficiency improvements recorded in 2007 were two and a half  times greater than the contribution of renewable energy

• Energy efficiency for industry improved by 16% between 1995 and 2007        

• Energy efficiency for the residential sector improved by 15% in the same period

• Despite the fact that transport energy use grew faster than the economy between 1995 and 2007, energy efficiency in the sector improved slightly by 1.4%.

Professor Owen Lewis, Chief Executive, SEI, said; “Energy efficiency is a key element of Ireland’s energy and economic policy and today’s report underlines the important role it plays. The carbon emissions savings made as a result of energy efficiency measures greatly exceed the contribution from renewable energy. It’s encouraging to know that through the recently launched National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP), Ireland can further build on this significant achievement and the €750 million in savings recorded in 2007 could be greatly exceeded in future years.”

The report also shows that Ireland’s final energy usage increased by 66% (4.3% per annum) between 1995 and 2007. Despite this increase, Ireland scores highly in most areas of energy efficiency when compared with the rest of the EU-15, showing a 10% improvement when compared to the EU-15’s average of 9%. In the Transport sector however, Ireland was ranked second lowest for energy efficiency improvements.

Professor Lewis added;  “Ireland’s ambition in the area of sustainability is to lead, not follow. In this regard, the role of energy efficiency must be prioritised for its economic, social and environmental benefits. Ireland’s transformation to a smart, green economy will depend on how we use energy, as much as how we produce or source it.” 

The Energy Efficiency in Ireland 2009 report examines energy usage and efficiency. The research examines energy trends, based on the most recent data available and adds to our understanding of how we use energy and what policies and measures are required to improve our efficiency further. SEI has a lead role in developing and maintaining comprehensive national and sectoral statistics for energy production, transformation and end use.