Ireland fails to meet renewable energy export deal deadline with UK
The Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte has said the Government has failed to reach an agreement with the UK on the exports of renewable energy within the EU's 2020 timeframe.
Rabbitte added he regrets that it has not been possible at this time.
Further examination of the Renewable Energy Export Project arising from the London Summit has failed to conclude an inter-governmental agreement to facilitate green energy export from the Midlands within the EU’s 2020 timeframe.
The Department of Energy has confirmed that given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved and the key decisions yet to be taken by the UK, delivery by 2020 of a Midlands wind export project is not a realistic proposition.
Economic analysis conducted on the Irish side indicated that renewable energy trading can deliver significant economic benefits to Ireland and the UK, as well as being attractive to developers.
Minister Rabbitte said he believes that greater trade in energy between Britain and Ireland is inevitable post 2020.
