DEAR SIR:

Re: Colm McCarthy’s article – “Comprehensive Catalogue of Costs Needed” in the Irish Farmers Journal of 18 November.

He is critical in the article of the further development of renewable energy – wind and solar.

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We have no choice but to further the development of the two technologies if we are to cut carbon emissions. Apart from climate change, the burning of fossil fuels in electricity generation, heating and transport are, according to the EPA, because of their pollution in the atmosphere, responsible for 1,500 premature deaths in Ireland per year. In the short term, there is going to be very little change for the next 10 years in our transport as we have currently less than 1% of our car fleet electric, and no alternative to diesel in heavy transport, haulage, agriculture and for air travel, aviation fuel.

The only way we can meet our 2020 EU carbon emissions targets or go near meeting them is using more renewables for electricity generation and heating.

Wind and solar are relatively new technologies for electricity generation, and there are new developments like battery storage, making hydrogen gas from surplus electricity generated by wind and solar at off-peak times. The development of smart meters and storage heaters will enable buildings such as schools and offices that close in early evening to use this electricity, thus avoiding curtailment. We have the wind in winter when we need this heating and we have the long days in summer for solar, so it is a good balance for this country.

I feel there is no alternative to the development of these technologies for the reasons outlined. The development of the biomass industry will be difficult because of our plans for Food 2025 and our changing weather.