Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Will other technologies be investigated in terms of the potential costs? The wind energy programme was established in 2007 and at that time technology pointed to wind as being a solution. However, technology has moved on since then and biomass is very much a solution, requiring a significantly lower investment. I have seen figures that indicate that with 10% of the cost of the upgrading of the electricity infrastructure, we could convert the likes of Moneypoint to biomass and meet our Kyoto targets and our 40% renewable energy targets. The report must look at the potential for other technologies and must recognise that technology is continually advancing and that it may be time to look at the viability of wind against these newer technologies.

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