Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy resources are abundantly available in Ireland. Solar energy is one of the most easy source to use in domestic and utility buildings. Renewable energy resources are constantly replenished through the cycles of nature - their supply will never be exhausted. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are finite resources. They will become increasingly scarce and expensive to extract and supplies will become concentrated in politically volatile areas of the world before reserves are finally exhausted.

A gradual shift towards using renewable energy would mean:

• reduced CO2 emissions
• secure and stable energy supply for the long term
• reduced reliance on expensive fuel imports

 Today, renewable energy sources meet about 2% of Ireland's total energy consumption. In 2002, the share of renewable energy in gross electrical consumption of the countries of the European Union contributed 13.4%. By 2010, it is the objective of the EU to raise this contribution to 22.1%.

EU policy also targets an increase in the contribution of renewables to 12% or Europe's total energy by 2010.