Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

When we look at the cost-benefit figures for all of the different energy sources - wind, biomass, solar, etc. - we include in our analysis everything the Deputy has mentioned, including the cost of infrastructure. We do not just look at the cost to the State of the support mechanisms, the REFIT system and the incentives. Even when we factor in the grid and all of the infrastructure - the whole kit we need to get the energy from one place to another - it is clear that wind has proven to be the most cost-effective of the sources we have. It is not the only source, but it has proven itself in recent years as being the most cost-effective.