INVESTING IN ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND RENEWABLES IN IRELAND†. ESRI Research Bulletin 2009/4/2

Fitz Gerald, John and Lyons, Sean and Valeri, Laura Malaguzzi (2009) INVESTING IN ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND RENEWABLES IN IRELAND†. ESRI Research Bulletin 2009/4/2. UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Like other countries, Ireland is trying to decrease greenhouse gas emissions while keeping electricity prices low. One of the main ways to reduce greenhouse gases is to switch electricity generation from fossil fuels to renewable sources, but this tends to increase electricity prices. Two features combine to make the Irish situation different: • As a small island market, Ireland’s electricity system is relatively isolated. All things equal, this tends to lead to higher costs of generation for a given security of supply standard. • Ireland’s main source of renewable energy is wind. Electricity can only be generated from wind when the wind is blowing at appropriate speeds, which in Ireland happens on average about a third of the time. Because wind power is intermittent, other sources of generation must be ready to step in and meet demand.

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