Jun 3rd, 2009

ICMSA call on the Government to 'get serious' on farm and domestic wind energy incentives

The Chairperson of the ICMSA’s Rural Development Committee, Mr. John O’ Donnell, has called on the Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan, to reassess the Government’s position on provision of incentives for installation of small and micro-generation units. Mr O’Donnell said that current Government policy, which he has described as a ‘non-policy’, actually acts as a disincentive to many home and landowners making a commitment in this direction. The ICMSA Chairman pointed out that wind micro-generation unit set-up costs between €17,000 and €30,000, which he noted is a very sizeable outlay for potential domestic or farming customers. Sustainable Energy Ireland is currently involved in a pilot programme providing 40% grant assistance to just 15 domestic wind generation installations and Mr. O Donnell believes the Government needs to develop this concept and look at provision of a grant or other alternatives such as VAT reduction or Tax Credits for all installations.

“it’s time for the Government to get serious about this”, commented the Ballina farmer.

Mr. O’ Donnell referred to the fact that Ireland is considered to have some of the best energy-producing winds in Europe, and a high percentage of the population lives in one-off houses on sites suitable for wind energy. There are good, sustainable long-term jobs in green energy installation and maintenance businesses but the Government needs to kick-start installation of these energy generation units in an imaginative manner.

The Government would more than benefit from any incentive provided to homeowners, in that any change in the generation of electricity in Ireland would help to reduce the State’s €6 billion a year spend on fossil fuels, concluded Mr. O’ Donnell.

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