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Renewable Energy
Waterford aims to lead the race to become the renewable energy capital of Ireland. It is the policy of Waterford County Council to promote and facilitate the use of renewable energy resources and energy efficient technologies throughout the County.
Ireland spends €6.5billion each year on imported energy such as oil and gas. The development of renewable and indigenous energy resources offers significant potential for import substitution. The revision of Irelands National Climate Change Strategy, which is currently under consultation with the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government had set targets of 13.2 % electricity generated from renewable energy resources 2010. Currently Renewable Energy Technology accounts for 4% of Ireland’s primary energy requirement. There is significant scope and a requirement to improve the level of renewable energy produced in Ireland. Furthermore, it is expected that future energy policies will have targets for renewable energy resources in the region of 25% - 35% of Irelands total energy requirement. Thus, alternative renewable/indigenous energy resources represent a significant business opportunity.
In Waterford approximately €250million is spent on energy annually. This represents a significant market, which could be partly serviced by renewable energy sources. Waterford County Council actively promotes the opportunity to use renewable energy. Supports and advice can be obtained from Waterford Energy Bureau.
Wind Energy
Wind power is one of Ireland’s least harnessed natural resources and there is growing interest in the development of wind farms in County Waterford. It is broadly recognised that, with the development of wind farming and the interconnection with Europe, Ireland can become a net exporter of electricity. To date Waterford County Council have granted planning to 6 wind farms developments within Waterford. Waterford County Council is currently preparing a County Landscape Character Assessment. The strategy will integrate a wind resource map and landscape assessment. Once completed, this resource will be made available to investors to assist in appraising wind farm investment opportunities. Please consult with Waterford County Council to review the potential to develop wind farms the County.
Find out how you can make submissions on the Council's Policy on Wind Energy and view documents and maps relating to the Wind Energy Strategy.
Biomass Energy
Wood pellets are clean and convenient fuels that can be used in heating systems that are proven to be as reliable and efficient as oil or natural gas based schemes. Wood pellets are a renewable biomass fuel using sawdust and other wood residues processed into dry, uniform, high-density pellets. The operation of wood pellet stoves / boilers are neutral in terms of CO2 emissions. Biomass through forestry is abundantly available where 26,529 hectares which is approximately 14% of the total land of County Waterford. This figure is well in excess of the national average of 9.7%. Significant potential exists for the utilisation of forestry tinning and residue for the production of wood chip, wood pellet and wood log for thermal heating and electrical generation. The processing of wood chip from forestry residue / tinning & from the growing of short rotation coppice offer business / agricultural enterprises & employment opportunities in the growing, processing & harvesting of energy crops. Woodchip is a competitive green energy alternative to imported fossil fuels and offers significant amount of business opportunities.
The development of alternative vehicle fuels and processing technology offers significant potential for replication in Waterford. Examples of innovative vehicle fuels include:
- Ethanol can be used to run petrol fuelled vehicles
- Diesel engines can be converted to operate on bio fuel for processed plant oil
- Bio diesel produced from vegetable oil / fats etc can used as a direct replacement to diesel
- Hydrogen (fuel cells) powered engines offer an alternative vehicle fuel & a number of innovative projects are currently under design in Waterford.
Hydro Energy
Hydro energy is one of the oldest forms of electricity generation. Hydro accounts for 2% of the energy produced in Ireland. Mahon Hydro Ltd is developing Waterford’s first hydro electricity plan.
Marine Energy
Waterford represents an excellent location to investigate the scope to develop, design, produce and install innovative marine technology for electricity generation. Energy generation technology marine’s sources include tidal power, wave power and ocean currents.
