Photo by Michael Pointner on Unsplash
Europe is at a turning point in its energy future. In recent years, the war in Ukraine has cruelly exposed our dependence on imported fossil fuels, particularly Russian gas. It seems as though to placate President Donald Trump’s wish for a trade war, Europe will be purchasing more LNG to help balance EU-US trade. But, parallel to this, to ensure long-term energy security and a sustainable future, it’s vital that we embrace and promote the concept of a European Supergrid, described by Wind Energy Ireland as ‘a trans-continental motorway network for electricity, capable of moving large amounts of power from one country to the next.’ Following this, Ireland, with our vast offshore wind resources, will have a key role to play in tackling Europe’s energy and competitiveness challenges, writes Barry Cowen.
A study by UCD’s Energy Institute from 2022 suggests that a European Supergrid could cut European energy costs by 32%, benefiting consumers continent-wide. By linking national electricity networks, energy generated in Ireland – including wind energy off our west coast – could power homes and industries across Europe.
The Irish Government’s target of at least 5GW of offshore wind by 2030 is welcome, but we must go further. By fully leveraging our potential and making use of the strong and consistent winds off the Atlantic coast, Ireland could generate more electricity than we consume and become a net exporter of clean energy.
However, a lack of infrastructure remains a major obstacle. To maximise our renewable energy output, we must invest in efficient grid connections and integrate our power into a broader European network. A European Supergrid would enable a more reliable and efficient use of renewable energy.
Interconnectivity would also help address one of the challenges of renewable energy sources – intermittency. It is always windy somewhere and a well-connected grid would ensure a stable and resilient power supply.
For this vision to become reality, two key actions are required:
First, regulatory and policy barriers must be removed to allow seamless cross-border energy trade. The European Commission must prioritise the Supergrid and provide the necessary funding.
Second, Ireland must expand its grid capacity to support large-scale exports and accelerate the development of subsea interconnectors, such as the Celtic Interconnector between Ireland and France, ensuring we are fully integrated with the European energy market.
Europe’s energy landscape is changing and Ireland has a chance to lead. By investing in offshore wind and integrating with a European Supergrid, we can secure our own energy independence while supporting Europe’s transition away from fossil fuels. This is not just about economics or climate – it is about energy security in an uncertain world.
Ireland has the natural resources on our doorstep. Now, we need the vision and investment in Brussels and Dublin to make it happen. The European Supergrid is within reach and Ireland has a pivotal role to play in bringing it about and ensuring it succeeds.
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The Author, Barry Cowen, is an Irish MEP and Member of the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament.
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