DROMLEENA WINDFARM PROJECT - Organic Power

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Why reduce carbon emissions cont.?The following table shows some examples of the relative consequences of stabilising the carbonlevels by reducing emissions now in order to stabilise levels at 450ppm, leading to an IPCCestimated 2.1 degree (range1.9 to 4.4) temperature increase compared to continuing to increaseemissions 750 ppm leading to an IPCC estimated 4.3 degree (range 2.8-6.4) temperature increase:Examples from ‘Six Degrees’ by George Lynas 2007REDUCED EMISSIONSCONTINUED EMISSIONSSea Level 2300 +0.8m +7m Irish coastal cities drownedSummer temperaturehigh Ireland 2100Winter temperature lowIreland 2100Mediterranean holidayspots 2100Gulf Stream 2100Storms Ireland 210030 degrees C 45 degrees CCattle cannot survive in IrelandNo changeLong cold spells below zeroForests burn in summerMuch reduced, Seawatertemperature 10-15 degrees C15% Increase in number andintensityDesert, no waterStopped, Seawater temperaturebelow 6 degrees CRegular severe hurricane stylestorms and floodsFood 2100 Droughts India, China, Africa Worldwide food shortagesClimate Stability 2100 Stable Self-reinforcing increase intemperatureENERGYEnergy is vital to the modern economy. Ireland is over 90% dependent on imported energy andis heavily reliant on imported oil, gas, and coal. Our small indigenous energy supplies continue todecline. A reliance on imported energy may make us more vulnerable to price fluctuations andinterruptions of supply caused by political instability and conflict in other parts of the world.In the first quarter of 2008 crude oil was trading at over $120/barrel, and is forecast by theAssociation for the Study of Peak Oil to trade at €175 in one year’s time. Currently world oilsupplies are contracting by 3% per year, while demand is increasing by 3% (Mr. Eamonn Ryan TD,Minister for Energy, Communications and Natural Resources, Ireland, Dublin, 24th, July 2007). Thismeans ever less quantity, and ever more expensive oil, our main source of energy in Ireland.Nuclear energy, like oil burning, is also suffering contracting fuel supply due to an impendingshortage of uranium due to the slow pace of uranium extraction, according to nuclear physicistMichael Dittmar of ETH Zurich (September 2007). This means that expanding energy productionfrom nuclear sources will be extremely difficult and costly. Wave power is still, unfortunately, morethan ten years away from commercialisation, so wind power remains Ireland’s most likely solutionfor both energy-supply and global warming problems.8
Renewable energy is playing an essential role in reducing our fossil fuel consumption, therebyreducing the emission of greenhouse gasses.Ireland has a strong wind power resource, relative to other European countries, generallyabove 8.5m/s here, as compared to below 7 for most of the continent. The cost of generatingelectricity from wind has fallen dramatically over the past few years. At present, wind energy isthe most cost effective renewable energy technology available. A mix of wind power with otherrenewable energy sources, such as biomass and Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES), will beneeded to meet Ireland’s challenging targets on sustainable energy and climate change.“Climate change and rising oil prices mean we have to reform the way we consider energyservices. We can look at these challenges in a negative light or we can realise the potentialthat exists for sustainable economic growth that exists. Our aim now is to encourage theenergy industry in Ireland in order to create the jobs of tomorrow. We have industry readyand waiting in the wings to take advantage of this new opportunity. Assisting them inthis process will be a key priority of this Government.” – Eamonn Ryan, Minister for EnergyCommunications and Natural Resources, Ireland, Dublin, 13th July 2007Ireland’s emissions are currently 80 million tonnes CO 2 (MTCO 2 ) per annum. To reducethis to meet agreed targets, we must reduce this by 17 MTCO 2 . The target for renewablescontribution to this reduction is 1.47 MTCO 2 .“Electricity generation from Renewable Sources provides the most effective way of reducingthe contribution of power generation to Ireland’s Greenhouse gas emissions. The governmenthas therefore established ambitious targets for the contribution of renewables to powergeneration; 15% of electricity consumed will be from renewables in 2010 and 33% by 2020.Annual emissions savings of 1.47 MTCO 2 will be achieved on foot of the government’s 15%target for 2010.”–National Climate Change Strategy 2007.The Dromleena wind project will mitigate approximately 18,000 tonnes of CO 2 perannum (based on actual aggregate emissions from the Irish Energy Sector for 2007)– the equivalent of 1.4% of the 2010 government target.MEETING THECHALLENGE9
Page 1 and 2: RESPONSIBLE ENERGY FOR A SUSTAINABL
Page 3 and 4: PROJECT OVERVIEWThe proposed €10.
Page 6 and 7: Economic BenefitsThe project will,
Page 10 and 11: Public attitudes to wind energyDr C

DROMLEENA WINDFARM PROJECT - Organic Power

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