Energy security must not become barrier to economic growth or climate action

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, today called on Government to address energy supply challenges by investing in new capacity instead of restricting economic growth.    

Commenting on the publication of EirGrid’s All-Island Generation Capacity Statement, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: “The energy constraint we face today is a major concern for businesses big and small across the country. If left unresolved, it will greatly undermine our national competitiveness, the climate agenda, and our attractiveness to inward investment. 

“The need to keep higher carbon, costlier plant operational longer than planned, represents a policy and planning oversight that must be resolved with haste. Targeted restrictions on sectors or blanket bans on any type of development, including data centres, must be avoided. The upcoming capacity auctions will be critical and must send out a clear signal for investment in efficient modern gas-fired generation to support the decarbonisation of the grid. 

“The National Development Plan review and updated Climate Action Plan must support investment in critical natural gas infrastructure and new renewable generation to support the transition.”