The national body representing the wind energy sector in Ireland, the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) has launched a new policy paper "Export Policy - A Renewables Development Policy Framework for Ireland" at its autumn conference in Killarney.

The policy paper outlines specific areas of the Irish economy which would benefit economically if Ireland’s domestic energy export potential was realised. In order to realise this potential however, IWEA has outlined a series of recommendations which must be enacted to achieve Ireland’s renewable energy opportunities.

Speaking at the opening of IWEA’s conference ‘Ireland’s Renewables – Answers for Ireland, Answers for Europe’, CEO of IWEA, Kenneth Matthews stated: "Renewable energy exporting is a significant national opportunity that needs to be seized. Ireland must create new export-led growth and our policy paper is the first of its kind to clearly outline the framework needed to realise this potential.

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"Ireland has the potential and resources to not only meet our own renewables targets but to assist other EU countries in meeting theirs. This could lead to significant job creation, R&D opportunities and greater investment. However, Ireland must be ready to seize the opportunity and IWEA’s recommendations aim to help Government ensure the framework is correct to realise this potential."

Giving the keynote address at IWEA’s Conference, Minister for Arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD said: "I am delighted to be part of this Conference today particularly when such a valuable policy paper is being launched. Ireland has come a long way in recent years and is working to realise its renewable energy potential.

"Creating an energy export-led country adds another layer of opportunity and this policy paper provides both industry and Government with a roadmap to achieving this. We cannot underestimate the benefits that wind energy could bring to local economies around Ireland."

(GK)