Monday 2 November 2020

‘Ireland must double renewable capacity over the next 25 years to hit net zero goals’

Ireland needs to more than double its renewable capacity over the next 25 years to meet 2050 net zero targets.

That's the suggestion from Cornwall Insight, which notes the nation needs to step up its current installed renewable capacity from solar and wind from 5.1GW to 11.9GW.

Broken down into technologies, the analysis finds Ireland will need to step up its onshore wind capacity from 5GW to 5.8GW, as well as start deploying offshore wind facilities - currently it has no offshore wind capacity in place but will require around 4.2GW to be built to decarbonise.

Significant growth is also said to be needed in the solar sector, with the current capacity of just 100MW needing to be expanded to as much as 1.9GW of photovoltaic deployments over the next 25 years.

The firm also predicts a system dominated by 12GW of renewable generation will require 5GW of battery storage to operate.

Niall Durham, Senior Consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: "The latest forecast from Cornwall Insight reflects how ambitious the Irish net zero targets are and how it is set to redefine the shape of the future power market.

"To incorporate the amount of renewables needed to meet net zero targets, there will need to be a rethink in a lot of areas in Ireland's policy as a matter of urgency."