Poll: Do you think Ireland should build more wind farms?

THAT IRELAND IS too reliant on fossil fuels is something that most would agree on, but how to reduce that dependency is a more divisive issue.

Under EU targets Ireland is aiming to meet 16% of its energy needs through renewable power.

The country is in danger of missing out on these goals and being hit with stiff fines as a result – it is estimated that Ireland could be hit with penalties of between €100 million and €150 million for every percentage point that it falls short of its target.

So far the main form of renewable energy that Ireland has been investing in to try and meet these goals is wind energy. Last year over a quarter of the country’s electricity was produced from wind, and it is predicted that this number will rise even higher in the next few years.

This looks even more likely after it was announced today that Ireland has signed up to a new agreement with nine other European countries to progress the development of offshore wind.

Although the new agreement between the so-called North Sea countries, including states such as the UK, France and Germany, does not set new legal requirements for Ireland it is seen as a statement of intent.

However, opposition to wind farms has grown in Ireland in recent years. Much of this has focused on onshore developments, with many community groups worried about potential impacts on the environment and property prices.

Although it has received less attention, some have also raised concerns about the impact that offshore farms will have on Ireland’s coastline.

With that in mind we’re asking readers: Do you think Ireland should build more wind farms?