Wind Energy

Wind turbines produce electricity by using the natural power of the wind to drive a generator. The wind is a clean and sustainable fuel source, it does not create pollution and it will never run out. Wind energy technology is developing fast, turbines are becoming cheaper and more powerful, bringing the cost of renewably-generated electricity down.
Europe is at the hub of this high-tech industry.

Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy, energy security threats and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change.

The need for clean energy
Conventional methods of generating electricity burn fuel to provide the energy to drive a generator, usually by using the heat to provide steam to drive a turbine. These technologies may use fossil fuels, - coal, oil or gas - or nuclear fuel. Using fossil fuels creates pollution, such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen which contribute to acid rain, and carbon dioxide which contributes to global climate change.

Although conventional sources of power dominate the energy needs of European countries, wind energy is growing rapidly. Renewable energy sources currently provide nearly 5.4% of the European Union's primary energy needs and have the potential to provide much more.

The European Union has ambitious targets in the field of environment and energy policy. The new 'climate-energy legislative package' sets mandatory national target corresponding to a 20 % share of renewable energies in overall Community energy consumption by 2020 and a mandatory 10 % minimum target to be achieved by all Member States for the share of renewable energy in transport consumption by 2020.

As a proven source of clean, affordable energy, wind resources clearly have a vital role to play in realising these goals.

The Future of Wind Energy in Ireland >