Our Energy System 2050

We have produced electricity at Ardnacrusha for 90 years and it still remains our primary renewable electrical generation station in the country. However it only accounts for 1.9% of ESB capacity. Many of us are well aware of our need to import non renewable finite carbon fuels to give us energy. Already we are paying the price as our energy costs have gone from 14% below European average to 14% above European average.

The department of Marine / Communications / Natural Resources have sought to create a vision for renewable energy. Such a short term horizon!. If wave and wind are to play any role, would we not need a grid system to carry such energy from the west of Ireland to the East Coast ? What is the purpose of working on a 12 year vision !!! ?

Laws will have to be changed : 5 years
Planning another 5 years
Construction of the grid and interconnectors another 5 years!

Oh its now past 2020 and still no energy !

Lets wake up - the carbons will run out - Renewables except for hydro are unpredictable and unlikely to ever reach 50% of our needs. The fossil fuels will run out at some time. So some day we will be on the back foot. No doubt with our proven ability to ignore the obvious that scenario is the likely one as we again import our energy from the only country near us: Great Britain.

Unless:

a) We appoint a Minister for infrastructure - and a sub ministry for Energy
b) We start to make real plans for 2050
c) We start a real debate on the need for the nuclear option
d) Real leadership is taken by An Taoiseach to put the right structures in place so the lights wont go out on our children.

What do you think ?