ESRI calls to curb wind power subsidies
AN END to subsidies for offshore wind and wave power generation has been recommended by the think tank ESRI.
In a study on energy policy, published this week, it also wants subsidies for onshore wind turbines to be reduced.
The study also calls for gas from the Corrib field off Co Mayo to be brought ashore “urgently”.
“While current policy on promoting renewable electricity may be broadly consistent with the strategic aims of Irish energy policy,” it says, “there are aspects of market design and of the support scheme for renewable energy which could result in substantial unnecessary costs falling on Irish consumers. “The current support scheme for onshore wind is probably too generous – the additional sum payable where prices are high should be dropped for new investors.” Bizworld
Restructuring won’t save Ireland – Rehn
Ireland and Greece would only get temporary relief from a restructuring of their debts, the EU’s economics commissioner Olli Rehn has said. It would not help them to permanently balance their budgets, he said.
Speaking at an event organised by Finnish pro-EU organisation Euroklubi, the commissioner said that providing loan backing to debt-ridden European nations was the best way forward.
Mr Rehn said that such backing was the best way to avoid a financial meltdown like the crisis sparked by the collapse of Lehman Brothers in the United States.
It would avoid a meltdown of euro zone financial stability, he said. Bizworld
ESB, Eircom sign €22m power deal
ESB Electric Ireland has secured a €22 million contract with eircom Group that will see it service eircom’s strategic energy requirements over the next two years.
As part of the contract, ESB Electric Ireland will supply electricity to 81 major telephone exchanges and installations and eircom’s new corporate headquarters at Heuston South Quarter, and support the company with long range energy procurement. Bizworld
ISME wants urgent State help for tourism
Business group, ISME, has called on the Government to make a concerted effort to promote Irish Tourism and introduce initiatives to support one of the biggest sectors within the economy.
It said that for too long the importance of the tourism sector has been downplayed, with thousands of businesses and jobs in the sector ‘under threat’ unless initiatives are introduced to develop and expand our tourism industry.
“The essential role that tourism plays in the Irish economy cannot and must not be overlooked. The tourism industry is one of Ireland’s largest and most important indigenous sectors, supporting an estimated 180,000 jobs, generating E4.6 billion in revenue, yet the tourism industry receives no priority status from the Government and relatively little financial support,” according to ISME Chief Executive, Mark Fielding. Bizworld
