Wind power in Ireland#Controversy

File:Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland SEAI 2019 Ireland wind power generating capacity 2000-2018.png

Eddie O'Connor, then CEO of the semi-state owned peat harvesting company, Bord na Móna, commissioned the country's first "commercial wind farm" in a cutaway peat bog in County Mayo in 1992.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/special-report-a-look-at-the-wind-energy-debate-264502.html|title=SPECIAL REPORT: A look at the wind energy debate|date=2014-04-07|newspaper=Irish Examiner|access-date=2017-01-15}} Wind power deployment in the Republic of Ireland began slowly during the 1990's but has accelerated in the 2000's. Whilst annual wind capacity growth has been variable, it has shown an increasing trend (Figure 1).{{Cite web|url=https://www.seai.ie/publications/Energy-in-Ireland-2019-.pdf|title=Energy In Ireland Report, 2019|date=2019|website=www.seai.ie|access-date=3 April 2020}} Wind power has provided a steadily increasing share of electricity, from 4% (1,874 GWh) in 2005, to 28% in 2018 (10,195 GWh) (Figure 2). In the first two months of 2020, wind provided 49% of electricity demand,{{Cite web|url=http://www.eirgridgroup.com/newsroom/record-wind-levels-feb-20/index.xml|title=Record wind levels Feb 2020|website=eirgridgroup.com|access-date=2020-04-03}} and a peak recorded output from wind power of 4,471 MW was delivered on 12 February 2021. Wind is now the second largest source of electricity generation after natural gas, which accounted for 52% of electricity generated in 2018.

File:Sustainable energy authority of Ireland electricity generated by fuel type 2005-2018.png

File:Wind power installed capacity and generation in Ireland.svg

Concerns over energy security (Ireland has an estimated 15.4m tonnes of coal reserves, peat bogs, offshore oil and gas fields, and has extensive wind resources), climate change mitigation policies, and compliance with EU Directives for market liberalization, have all shaped wind power development in Ireland.{{Cite journal|last1=Gaffney|first1=F.|last2=Deane|first2=J. P.|last3=Gallachóir|first3=B. P. Ó|date=2017-06-01|title=A 100 year review of electricity policy in Ireland (1916–2015)|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421517301039|journal=Energy Policy|language=en|volume=105|pages=67–79|doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2017.02.028|issn=0301-4215|hdl=10468/5299|hdl-access=free}}

In the Directive{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/pri/en/oj/dat/2001/l_283/l_28320011027en00330040.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-11-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513043526/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/pri/en/oj/dat/2001/l_283/l_28320011027en00330040.pdf |archive-date=13 May 2008 }} 2001/77/EC, otherwise known as the RES-E Directive, the European Union stated a goal to have 22% of the total energy consumed by member states to be produced from renewable energy resources by 2010. As a result, Ireland, in a report titled "Policy Consideration for Renewable Electricity to 2010", made the commitment to have 4% of its total energy consumption come from renewable energy resources by 2002 and 13.2% by 2010. The Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) founded the Renewable Energy Group (REG) which established the short-term analysis group (STAG) to investigate a means of accomplishing this goal. To meet the 2010 target of 13.2%, 1,432 MW of electricity will need to be generated from renewable resources with 1,100 MW being generated from wind resources both onshore and offshore. {{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

State financial support for the national electricity sector, and particular technologies, has been influenced by a slow move towards liberalization, and concerns for energy security and climate change mitigation. Ireland uses an industry subsidy known as the Public Service Obligation (PSO) to support the generation of electricity from sustainable, renewable and indigenous sources, including wind.{{cite web|url=http://www.cer.ie/docs/001034/CER15142%20PSO%20Levy%202015-16%20%20Decision%20Paper.pdf|title=PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATION LEVY 2015/2016|website=Cer.ie|access-date=2017-01-15}} The PSO levy is charged to all electricity customers. As of April 2020, for residential consumers, the current PSO levy is €38.68 per year inclusive of value-added tax (VAT), and is displayed on the typical two-monthly electricity bill as €5.68 (€2.84 × 2) + 13.5% VAT.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

The PSO levy funds the government's main mechanisms to support the generation of electricity from sustainable, renewable and indigenous sources. These mechanisms have shifted from the initial use of competitive auctions in the late 1990s, to a renewable energy feed-in tariff (REFiT) from 2006 to 2015, and back to a new renewable energy auction scheme as of 2020. Ireland's initial use of competitive auction from 1996 failed to support the intended growth in wind development. Between 2006 and 2015, the government supported a REFiT, secured for 15 years. The 2020 REFiT reference price for large wind (>5MW) is €70.98 /MWh and for small wind (<5MW) is €73.47/MWh. In June 2020, Ireland will run its first competitive renewable energy auction under the government's new Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS-1).{{Cite web|url=https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/RESS_1_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf|title=Ireland Renewable Energy Support Scheme: Terms and Conditions|date=February 2020|website=Government of Ireland|access-date=3 April 2020}} RESS-1 support is structured as a two-way floating feed-in premium (FIP), roughly the difference between the 'strike price' set in the successful auction bid and the 'market reference price'. When costs of electricity suppliers exceed market revenues a Support Payment will be due to the supplier, and when market revenues exceed costs a Difference Payment will be due from the supplier. An economic analysis of the financial cost of different RESS options, estimated that a least cost auction with floating FIP mechanism would cost a domestic consumer €0.79 per month by 2030 (at 2017 prices).{{Cite web|url=https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/energy/consultations/Documents/28/consultations/Economic%20Analysis%20to%20underpin%20the%20new%20RESS%20in%20Ireland.pdf|title=Economic Analysis to Underpin a New Renewable Electricity Support Scheme in Ireland|date=May 2017|website=Government of Ireland|access-date=3 April 2020}} This is significantly less than the current PSO levy rate to fund REFiT costs.

{{Main|Offshore wind power}}

The Arklow Bank Wind Park, located 10 km off the coast of Arklow on the Arklow Bank in the Irish Sea, is Ireland's only offshore wind farm. The wind farm is owned and built by GE Energy and was co-developed by Airtricity and GE Energy. The site has 7 GE Energy 3.6 MW turbines that generate a total of 25 MW. The development of the site was originally divided into two phases with the first phase being the current installation of 7 turbines. The second phase was a partnership between Airtricity and Acciona Energy. Acciona Energy had an option to buy the project after the facility is completed. The wind farm was planned to expand to 520 MW of power. However, Phase 2 was cancelled in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.airtricity.com/assets/Uploads2/Press-Releases/Offshore-support-press-release1.pdf |title=Airtricity Welcomes Support for Offshore Wind Farm Development |website=Airtricity.com |access-date=2017-01-15}}

Although the waters off the Atlantic coast of Ireland have higher winds, sites along the eastern coast, such as Arklow, have been chosen for their shallower waters, with depths of 20m or less.

In Belfast, the harbor industry is being redeveloped as a hub for offshore wind farm construction, at a cost of about £50m. The work will create 150 jobs in construction, as well as requiring about 1 million tonnes of stone from local quarries, which will create hundreds more jobs. "It is the first dedicated harbor upgrade for offshore wind".{{cite news |author=Harvey |first=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=6 February 2012 |title=Offshore wind turbines set to benefit British industries |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/feb/06/offshore-wind-turbine-british-industry?newsfeed=true |work=The Guardian |location=London}}

In 2023, an offshore wind auction approved four projects totaling 3 GW.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-12 |title=Ireland makes history with its first offshore wind auction |url=https://windeurope.org/newsroom/news/ireland-makes-history-with-its-first-offshore-wind-auction/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=WindEurope}} The Codling project won first approval for a power price around €90/MWh by 2027.{{cite web |title=Revealed: Fred Olsen and EDF power price for first Irish gigascale offshore wind farm |url=https://www.rechargenews.com/wind/revealed-fred-olsen-and-edf-power-price-for-first-irish-gigascale-offshore-wind-farm/2-1-1468583 |website=Recharge {{!}} Latest renewable energy news |language=en |date=16 June 2023}}

File:Corrie Mountain Windfarm 4818 edit.jpg slide occurred in 2008.]]

Grid connections are currently allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis through the Gate 3 procedures. Upon reviewing the Gate 3 queue, it was noted that several large onshore and offshore wind projects are positioned lower in the queue, meaning they will likely be offered grid connections towards the end of the anticipated 18-month processing period, which began in December 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.forfas.ie/media/dete091202_green_economy.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721073238/http://www.forfas.ie/media/dete091202_green_economy.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}

Under normal circumstances, planning permission expires after 5 years. However, Section 41 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 allows for an extended period. It is currently common to apply for and obtain a 10-year permission for wind energy developments. Section 42 of the same Act initially permitted a 5-year extension of the "appropriate period," provided that substantial works were carried out. This led to issues, as the term "substantial works" was not clearly defined, resulting in varied interpretations among planning authorities. This problem was addressed by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, which introduced Section 28, allowing a one-off extension of up to 5 years if "there were considerations of a commercial, economic, or technical nature beyond the control of the applicant, which substantially militated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works pursuant to the planning permission." {{Cite web |title=Revised Acts |url=https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2010/act/30/front/revised/en/html |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=revisedacts.lawreform.ie}}

The fourth issue regarding the generation of wind power is the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff, or REFIT.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwea.com/index.cfm/action/downloadFile/twFId/44|title=Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff |website=Iwea.com |access-date=2017-01-15}} REFIT's goal is to promote the development of renewable energy sources. For wind power production, the current limit to the tariff is 1,450 MW. However, applications currently being processed for grid connections exceed the limit by almost 1,500 MW for a total for nearly 3,000 MW. Since the limit is 1,450 MW, many of the applications for grid connections are most likely not eligible for the tariff.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwea.com/index.cfm/page/currentissues |title=IWEA is the national association for the wind industry in Ireland |website=Iwea.com |access-date=2017-01-15}}{{failed verification|date=July 2016}}

{{Main|List of wind farms in the Republic of Ireland}}

In 2011, the 120-member Irish Academy of Engineering described wind as "an extremely expensive way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions when compared to other alternatives" like conservation, nuclear energy or the Corrib gas project and Liquified Gas tanker imports at Shannon, concluding that the suggestion of 40% grid penetration by wind, is "unrealistic".[http://www.iae.ie/site_media/pressroom/documents/2011/Apr/06/IAE_Energy_Report_Web2_05.04.2011.pdf Energy Policy and Economic Recovery 2010-2015] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514085614/http://www.iae.ie/site_media/pressroom/documents/2011/Apr/06/IAE_Energy_Report_Web2_05.04.2011.pdf |date=14 May 2013 }}, page 5. Irish Academy of Engineering, 2011. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130514085614/http://www.iae.ie/site_media/pressroom/documents/2011/Apr/06/IAE_Energy_Report_Web2_05.04.2011.pdf Archive] In 2020, grid penetration had hit 36.3% and was still increasing but slowly.{{cite news|author=Statista|title=Ireland: Installed wind power capacity 2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/421528/total-wind-power-in-ireland/}} By contrast, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland said in 2014 that wind power cost the same as gas power.[http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/special-report-a-look-at-the-wind-energy-debate-264502.html SPECIAL REPORT: A look at the wind energy debate Monday, 7 April 2014, By Claire O'Sullivan Irish Examiner] [http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160515180904/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/special%2Dreport%2Da%2Dlook%2Dat%2Dthe%2Dwind%2Denergy%2Ddebate%2D264502.html Archive] In 2020 the Irish Times reported that the cost of onshore wind energy had dropped over the last 20 years but that regulation on noise and height of turbines made Irish wind energy more expensive than elsewhere.{{cite news |last1=O'Sullivan |first1=Kevin |title=Ireland can 'almost halve' the cost of renewable electricity |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/energy-and-resources/ireland-can-almost-halve-the-cost-of-renewable-electricity-1.4278866 |access-date=15 November 2021 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}

Building wind turbines and access roads on top of peatland results in the drainage and then eventual oxidation of some of the peat. The turbines represent a minor impact,Richard Lindsay. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110703112406/http://www.uel.ac.uk/erg/documents/Peatbogsandcarbon-14thJune2010-PDF300dpi.pdf Peat bogs and carbon], page 164. University of East London, 14 June 2010 provided that the entire wind farm area is not drained, potentially emitting more carbon dioxide (CO₂) than the turbines would save.Richard Lindsay. [https://web.archive.org/web/20131218090914/http://www.uel.ac.uk/erg/documents/Derrybrien.pdf Wind farms and blanket peat], page 70, 79-87, 111. University of East London, 2004 Biochemist Mike Hall said in 2009; "wind farms (built on peat bogs) may eventually emit more carbon than an equivalent coal-fired power station" if drained.{{cite news|author=Fred Pearce |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/aug/13/wind-farm-peat-bog |title=Greenwash: How a wind farm could emit more carbon than a coal power station | Fred Pearce | Environment |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2017-01-15}}

A 2014 report for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, which has similar peatland, notes that building wind turbines on peatland could release considerable carbon dioxide from the peat, weaken flood control, and spoil water quality: "The potential knock-on effects of using the peatland resource for wind turbines are considerable and it is arguable that the impacts on this facet of biodiversity will have the most noticeable and greatest financial implications for Northern Ireland."David Tosh, W. Ian Montgomery & Neil Reid [http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/a_review_of_the_impacts_of_onshore_wind_energy_for_publication_9.12.14.pdf A review of the impacts of onshore wind energy development on biodiversity] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531205832/http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/a_review_of_the_impacts_of_onshore_wind_energy_for_publication_9.12.14.pdf |date=31 May 2015 }}, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Research and Development Series 14/02, 2014, p.54

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council maintains a database on incidents where building wind turbines (and wind farms) on or near peatland caused devastating landslides, called "bog bursts"/"peat flows". These accelerate the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.{{cite web |url= http://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/peatland-action-plan/habitat-loss-of-peatlands |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140301114417/http://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/peatland-action-plan/habitat-loss-of-peatlands |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2014-03-01 |title=Habitat Loss of Peatlands, Wind Farms on Peatlands |publisher=Irish Peatland Conservation Council }}

In October 2003, the building of a wind farm in County Galway caused the Derrybrien landslide, an almost 2.5 km long, 450,000 m³ bog landslide, polluting a nearby lake and killing 50,000 fish.{{cite magazine|last=Douglas |first=Ed |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125591.600 |title=The hidden cost of wind turbines |magazine=New Scientist |date=2006-07-05 |access-date=2017-01-15}} The lake was also the source of the town of Gort's drinking water.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125591-600-the-hidden-cost-of-wind-turbines/ | title=The hidden cost of wind turbines | date=5 July 2006 | first=Ed | last=Douglas | magazine=New Scientist | accessdate=16 June 2020 }} If all carbon in the slide is being released, it represents 7–15 months of production from the wind farm in avoided carbon dioxide from fossil power. In 2004, engineering companies were convicted of being responsible for the pollution,{{cite journal|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/1020/55807-derrybrien/ |title=Companies convicted for Galway river pollution |journal=RTÉ.ie |date=2004-10-20 |access-date=2017-01-15}} while the wind farm company was acquitted.{{cite journal|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/1019/55728-derrybrien/ |title=Galway court dismisses pollution prosecution |journal=RTÉ.ie |date=2004-10-19 |access-date=2017-01-15}} The Irish government was convicted in 2008 of poor oversight.{{cite journal|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0703/105303-derrybrien/ |title=EU court rules against Ireland on Derrybrien |journal=RTÉ.ie |date=2008-07-03 |access-date=2017-01-15}}

Following the Corrie Mountain bog burst of 2008, Ireland was fined by a European Court over its mishandling of wind farms on peatland.{{cite web |url= http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.org/attachments/article/16473/bog_slides_minister_3.10.08__and_12.05.09.pdf |title=Re: Moratorium on upland wind farm construction |publisher=Friends of the Irish Environment |date=12 May 2009 }} By 2010, there had been at least three major bog landslides related to wind farms in Ireland.

In 2020, there was another large bog landslide at a wind farm construction site at Meenbog, County Donegal. This polluted rivers that are protected Atlantic salmon habitats, and was predicted to have caused a "complete fish kill". Drinking water supplies linked to the rivers had to be suspended.{{cite news |title=Fears Donegal landslide has devastated EU protected salmon site |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2020/1118/1178951-donegal-slide/ |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=RTÉ News |date=18 November 2020}}{{cite news |title=Donegal: Peat landslide linked to wind farm raised in Dáil |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-54994865 |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=BBC News |date=18 November 2020}}

The body representing industrial peat harvesting in Ireland, Bord na Móna, announced in 2015 the "biggest change of land use in modern Irish history": harvesting peat is being phased out by 2030, due to the long-expected depletion of profitable lowland peat,{{cite news|author=Joanne Edgar |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/14/travel/in-the-bogs-of-western-ireland.html |title=In The Bogs of Western Ireland |location=Ireland, Republic Of |website=The New York Times |date=1987-06-14 |access-date=2017-01-15}} at which point the company would complete its transition to becoming a "sustainable biomass, wind and solar power" organization.{{cite web|last1=de Róiste|first1=Daithí |title=Bord na Móna announces biggest change of land use in modern Irish history|url= http://www.bordnamona.ie/news/latest/bord-na-mona-announces-biggest-change-of-land-use-in-modern-irish-history/ |website=Bord na Móna|publisher=Bord na Móna|access-date=6 October 2015}}

File:Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Senator Kathryn Reilly and Gerry Adams TD.jpg politicians protesting against the proposed Midlands wind farms in 2014]]

Some on-land wind farms in Ireland have been opposed by local residents, county councils, the Heritage Council and An Taisce (The National Trust) for their potential to blight the landscape, and having a harmful impact on protected scenic areas, archaeological landscapes, tourism and cultural heritage. In 2014, more than 100 protest groups united against government plans to build thousands of wind turbines in the Midlands to export energy to Britain. Among other things, they argued the wind farms would ruin the landscape and mainly benefit "multinational corporations who are sucking subsidies from the UK taxpayers". The Irish government shelved the plans.{{cite news |title=Ireland's rural protests over wind energy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25966198 |work=BBC News |date=2 February 2014}}{{cite news |title=It's official: The Government has cancelled its Midlands wind energy export plan |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/wind-export-plan-1412546-Apr2014/ |work=TheJournal.ie |date=13 April 2014}}{{cite news |title=Export plan for wind energy dumped |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20265259.html |work=Irish Examiner |date=14 April 2014}}

In 2021, a proposed wind farm at Kilranelagh in the Wicklow Mountains was refused as it would have harmed the area's archaeological landscape, which includes the Baltinglass hillfort complex.{{cite news |last1=Dodd |first1=Eimear |title=Permission to build five turbine wind farm at Kilranelagh refused |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/news/permission-to-build-five-turbine-wind-farm-at-kilranelagh-refused-40231644.html |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=Irish Independent |date=27 March 2021}}

An application to build a wind farm overlooking the scenic valley of Gougane Barra was refused by Cork County Council, who voted unanimously against it. The company appealed to An Bord Pleanála, whose inspector also rejected it, stating it "would have significant adverse environmental and visual impacts and is not sustainable at this highly sensitive location". Despite this, An Bord Pleanála granted permission, on the grounds that the wind farm would contribute "to the implementation of Ireland's national strategic policy on renewable energy". The spokesman of the campaigners against the wind farm said the decision was undemocratic, as the local people and council opposed it.{{cite news |title=Row over planned wind farm at Cork beauty spot Gougane Barra |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/row-over-planned-wind-farm-at-cork-beauty-spot-gougane-barra-1.4861662 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=26 April 2022}}

{{See also|Environmental impact of wind power}}

File:Greenhouse emissions by electricity source.PNG electricity company found; electricity generation by Hydroelectric, nuclear stations and wind turbines in-isolation, to all have a far smaller embodied carbon footprint than other sources represented. These studies on the total life-cycle, greenhouse gas emissions, per unit of energy generated take into account the Nordic utilities cradle-to-grave construction emissions etc. These results are largely in-line with those made in 2014 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.{{cite web |url=http://srren.ipcc-wg3.de/report/IPCC_SRREN_Annex_II.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=srren.ipcc-wg3.de |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627074517/http://srren.ipcc-wg3.de/report/IPCC_SRREN_Annex_II.pdf |archive-date=27 June 2013 |url-status=dead}} However they do not assess real-world integrated grid findings and the actual pollution emitted from the addition of wind energy into an electric grid.{{cite journal |title=Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Utility-Scale Wind Power Systematic Review and Harmonization |author1=Stacey L. Dolan|author2=Garvin A. Heath|doi=10.1111/j.1530-9290.2012.00464.x |volume=16 |journal=Journal of Industrial Ecology |pages=S136–S154|year = 2012|s2cid=153821669}}{{cite journal|title=Quantifying CO₂ savings from wind power|author=Joseph Wheatley|journal=Energy Policy |volume=63|date=December 2013|pages=89–96|doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2013.07.123}}{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Owen |url= http://joewheatley.net/how-much-co2-does-wind-power-save/ |title=Quantifying CO₂ savings from wind power | Biospherica |website=Joewheatley.net |access-date=2017-01-15}}]]

In a typical study of a wind farms Life cycle assessment (LCA), in isolation, it usually results in similar findings as the following 2006 analysis of 3 installations in the US Midwest, were the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of wind power ranged from 14 to 33 metric ton per GWh (14 - 33 g CO₂/kWh) of energy produced, with most of the CO₂ emissions coming from the production of concrete for wind-turbine foundations.{{Cite journal | last1 = White | first1 = S. W. | title = Net Energy Payback and CO₂ Emissions from Three Midwestern Wind Farms: An Update | doi = 10.1007/s11053-007-9024-y | journal = Natural Resources Research | volume = 15 | issue = 4 | pages = 271–281 | year = 2007 | s2cid = 110647290 }}

However, when approached from the effects on the grid as a whole, that assess wind turbines' ability to reduce a country's total electric grid emission intensity, a study by the Irish national grid, a grid that is predominately (~70%) powered by fossil gas, (and if it was 100% gas, would result in emissions of 410 - 650 g CO₂/kWh.{{cite web|title=IPCC Working Group III – Mitigation of Climate Change, Annex II I: Technology - specific cost and performance parameters |url=http://report.mitigation2014.org/report/ipcc_wg3_ar5_annex-iii.pdf |publisher=IPCC |access-date=1 August 2014 |page=10 |year=2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215013236/http://report.mitigation2014.org/report/ipcc_wg3_ar5_annex-iii.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2014 }}{{cite web|title=IPCC Working Group III – Mitigation of Climate Change, Annex II Metrics and Methodology. pg 37 to 40,41 |url=http://report.mitigation2014.org/report/ipcc_wg3_ar5_annex-ii.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908235241/http://report.mitigation2014.org/report/ipcc_wg3_ar5_annex-ii.pdf |archive-date= 8 September 2015 }}) found that "Producing electricity from wind reduces the consumption of fossil fuels and therefore leads to [electric grid] emissions savings", with findings in reductions of the grid-wide CO₂ emissions to 0.33-0.59 metric ton of CO₂ per MWh (330 - 590 g CO₂/kWh).{{cite web

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| access-date= 2008-01-15 }}

These findings were of relatively "low [emission] savings", as presented in the Journal of Energy Policy, and were largely due to an over-reliance on the results from the analysis of wind farms LCAs in isolation. As high electric grid penetration by intermittent power sources e.g. wind power, sources which have low capacity factors due to the weather, either requires the construction of transmission to neighbouring areas, energy storage projects like the 292 MW Turlough Hill Power Station, that have their own additional emission intensity which must be accounted for,{{cite web |url=http://www.seai.ie/uploadedfiles/FundedProgrammes/REHC03001FinalReport.pdf |title=Study of Electricity Storage Technologies and Their Potential to Address Wind Energy Intermittency in Ireland. Co-authored with Dr. Brian Ó Gallachóir}}{{cite web|url=http://keith.seas.harvard.edu/papers/164.Safaei.Keith.CompressedAirEnergyStor.p.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-07-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722005619/http://keith.seas.harvard.edu/papers/164.Safaei.Keith.CompressedAirEnergyStor.p.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2015 }} or the more common practice of requiring a higher reliance on fossil fuels than the spinning reserve requirements necessary to back-up the more dependable/baseload power sources, such as hydropower and nuclear energy.

This higher dependence on back-up/Load following power plants to ensure a steady power grid output has the knock-on-effect of more frequent inefficient (in {{CO2}}e g/kW·h) throttling up and down of these other power sources in the grid to accommodate the intermittent power source's variable output. When one includes the intermittent sources total effect it has on other power sources in the grid system, that is, including these inefficient start up emissions of backup power sources to cater for wind energy, into wind energy's total system wide life cycle, this results in a higher real-world emission intensity related to wind energy than the in-isolation g/kW·h value, a statistic that is determined by looking at the power source in isolation and thus ignores all down-stream detrimental/inefficiency effects it has on the grid. In a 2012 paper that appeared in the Journal of Industrial Ecology it states.

{{Blockquote|The thermal efficiency of fossil-based power plants is reduced when operated at fluctuating and suboptimal loads to supplement wind power, which may degrade, to a certain extent, the GHG (Greenhouse gas) benefits resulting from the addition of wind to the grid. A study conducted by Pehnt and colleagues (2008) reports that a moderate level of [grid] wind penetration (12%) would result in efficiency penalties of 3% to 8%, depending on the type of conventional power plant considered. Gross and colleagues (2006) report similar results, with efficiency penalties ranging from nearly 0% to 7% for up to 20% [of grid] wind penetration. Pehnt and colleagues (2008) conclude that the results of adding offshore wind power in Germany on the background power systems maintaining a level supply to the grid and providing enough reserve capacity amount to adding between 20 and 80 g CO₂-eq/kWh to the life cycle GHG emissions profile of wind power.}}

File:AntiWindFarmRochfortbridge.jpg, County Westmeath in 2014]]

According to the IPCC, wind turbines when assessed in isolation, have a median life cycle emission value of between 12 and 11 (g{{CO2}}eq/kWh). While the more dependable alpine Hydro power and nuclear stations have median total life cycle emission values of 24 and 12 g CO₂-eq/kWh respectively.

Regarding interconnections, Ireland is connected to adjacent UK National Grid at an electricity interconnection level (transmission capacity relative to production capacity) of 9%.COM/2015/082 final: "Achieving the 10% electricity interconnection target" [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2015:0082:FIN Text] [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52015DC0082&from=EN PDF] page 2-5. European Commission, 25 February 2015. [https://web.archive.org/web/20151225022701/http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/energy-union/docs/interconnectors_en.pdf Archive] [https://www.eumonitor.eu/9353000/1/j4nvhdfdk3hydzq_j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/vjs4eawsiryh Mirror] The two grids have a high wind correlation of 0.61, whereas the wind correlation between the Irish grid and the Danish grid is low at 0.09.Bach, Paul F. "[http://www.pfbach.dk/firma_pfb/enlarged_wind_power_statistics_2010.pdf Enlarged Wind Power Statistics 2010]", page 4. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150608064603/http://pfbach.dk/firma_pfb/enlarged_wind_power_statistics_2010.pdf Archive]

A significant feature of wind farms in Ireland is their ability to attract both local and tourists.. The Bord na Mona wind farm in Mount Lucas, Daingean, Co.Offaly has provided a local walk way through the newly established wind farm that attracts people of all ages. The walk way provides a safe environment off-road for walking, running and cycling. The walk way is approximately nine kilometres in distance with numerous stop off points for breaks. Maps can also be located in a variety of locations on the walk for guidance around the wind farm and back to allocated car parks. The walk way also provides aesthetic scenery on a relatively flat landscape. Such a walk attracts many people year round and circulates money back into the local community as tourists stop off in local shops.{{cite web|url= http://www.bordnamona.ie/company/our-businesses/powergen/bord-na-monas-wind-farms/ |title=Our Wind Farms |work=Bord na Móna|access-date=1 December 2016}}

A 2008 Irish study of the grid indicates that it would be feasible to accommodate 42% (of demand) renewables

in the electricity mix.{{cite web|url=http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2008/Study+shows+Ireland+can+be+world+leader+in+renewable+energy.htm |title=Study shows Ireland can be world leader in renewable energy |access-date=2008-10-20 |date=January 2008 |work=Department of Communications, Energy and National Resources |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321220558/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press%2BReleases/2008/Study%2Bshows%2BIreland%2Bcan%2Bbe%2Bworld%2Bleader%2Bin%2Brenewable%2Benergy.htm |archive-date=21 March 2012 }} This acceptable level of renewable penetration was found in what the study called Scenario 5, provided 47% of electrical capacity (different from demand) with the following mix of renewable energies:

• 6,000 MW wind
• 360 MW base load renewables
• 285 MW additional variable renewables (other intermittent sources)

The study cautions that various assumptions were made that "may have understated dispatch restrictions, resulting in an underestimation of operational costs, required wind curtailment, and CO₂ emissions" and that "The limitations of the study may overstate the technical feasibility of the portfolios analyzed..."

Scenario 6, which proposed renewables providing 59% of electrical capacity and 54% of demand had problems. Scenario 6 proposed the following mix of renewable energies:

• 8,000 MW wind
• 392 MW base load renewables
• 1,685 MW additional variable renewables (other intermittent sources)

The study found that, for Scenario 6, "a significant number of hours characterized by extreme system situations occurred, where load and reserve requirements could not be met." The results of the network study suggested that, for scenarios with extreme renewable penetration, a system redesign would be necessary, rather than merely reinforcing the existing system. The study chose not to analyze the cost-effectiveness of the required changes, stating that "determination of costs and benefits had become extremely dependent on the assumptions made," and that this uncertainty could have impacted the robustness of the results.{{cite web |url=http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/E20F6E3D-8724-4E39-B315-0670B8C9841E/0/AllIslandGridStudyStudyOverviewJan08a2.pdf |title=All Island Grid Study |access-date=2008-10-15 |date=January 2008 |pages=3–5, 15 |work=Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318231419/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/E20F6E3D-8724-4E39-B315-0670B8C9841E/0/AllIslandGridStudyStudyOverviewJan08a2.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2009 |url-status=dead}}

{{Portal|Ireland|Energy|Renewable energy}}

{{div col}}

• List of wind farms
• List of offshore wind farms in the Irish Sea
• Renewable energy in the Republic of Ireland
• Renewable energy
• Wind turbine
• Nuclear energy in Ireland
• Renewable energy by country{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.sei.ie/ www.sei.ie] - Sustainable Energy Ireland, Ireland's national energy agency.
• [http://www.iwea.ie/ www.iwea.ie] - Irish Wind Energy Association
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100714133354/http://www.gepower.com/businesses/ge_wind_energy/en/downloads/arklow_infosheet_final.pdf Arklow Bank Wind Park, GE Brochure] (PDF)
• [http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/10/9/1349794960947/Ireland-wind-power-001.jpg 2012 Regional map of wind farms]

{{Wind power}}

{{Wind power by country}}

{{Renewable energy by country}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wind Power In The Republic Of Ireland}}