The next nine months will prove make or break time for the Irish energy sector.

National targets of delivering 40% of electricity from renewable resources by 2020 hinge on the Government eliminating unnecessary red-tape and providing a stable framework for investors in 2010, Ireland's largest renewable energy conference will hear this week.

The Irish Wind Energy Association's 'Launching Ireland's New Generation' conference takes place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Co Kildare this Thursday and Friday and will hear how the vast opportunity for Ireland from wind energy is being seriously threatened by an over-complicated and unstable policy framework.

Speaking ahead of the event, Irish Wind Energy Association Chief Executive Dr Michael Walsh said: "2010 will be a make or break year for the Irish energy sector as decisions and plans that are made this year will have a far reaching impact.

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"We stand on the precipice of a very significant economic and sustainable energy opportunity. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is leading the development of Ireland’s National Renewable Energy Action Plan to implement the green economy but all other relevant departments and agencies need to be fully aligned with this effort and equipped to deliver on the key actions required.

"The importance of the Green economy has been repeatedly stressed by the Government in statements from the 2008 Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal to last year’s revised programme for government. However, our members are growing frustrated at the increasingly difficult investment environment, which is complicated by a lack of co-ordination between official agencies."

He continued: "An IWEA Deloitte Study published last year indicated that there would be approx €14.7 billion invested in the Irish energy sector from now to 2020 but this investment will not happen unless a stable policy framework is in place.

"Our conference will be a key moment in trying to resolve this as it will provide a forum for exchange between investors and government in advance of the key decisions of this year."

(NS/BMcC)