Electricity firms have warned that Ireland cannot hope to switch to a mainly renewable supply without rapid roll-out of back-up power storage and other major infrastructure. Even with all these components in place, natural gas will remain essential to power supply in 2030 and beyond, albeit on a reduced scale. Its researchers found that with all the new renewable energy projects planned, there will be capacity to produce 40pc more electricity but with overall emissions halved. Read MoreHowever, they said that would require completion of all three planned electricity interconnectors. Other forms of long-term energy storage would also be required, similar to the pumped-water storage facility proposed for Silvermines in Co Tipperary.

Source: Irish Independent May 26, 2021 01:30 UTC