Abstract
The overarching objective of the Government’s energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. The development of Ireland’s renewable energy resources is critical for the achievement of each element of this objective. Cost-effective harnessing of the potential of the clean, sustainable, indigenous, renewable energy resources that Ireland is fortunate to have in abundance, is crucial to reducing our dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports, improving our national competitiveness over time, reducing harmful emissions and delivering growth and jobs in the green economy. These objectives are fully aligned with those of EU energy policy, reflecting the common challenges faced by Ireland, and our partners in Europe, in decarbonising our energy systems and creating a sustainable and competitive EU internal market for energy.