Mayo plea for investment in green energy

WITH Ireland facing a €26 billion bill for missed climate targets, a Mayo councillor wants to see more government investment in green energy.

“We are the climate laggers of Europe,” declared Councillor Harry Barrett at an environment strategic policy committee, with the country set to miss its targets, resulting in costs up to €26 billion.

As a council they needed to get tougher with government and campaign for serious action, he told his fellow committee members.

First up, money has to be spent (€7 billion) on upgrading the national grid as a matter of urgency.

Investment of €4 billion is also needed to roll out and bring down the cost of EVs and solar panels, where a two-tier system is emerging as some cannot afford them.

We have to bring down the price of solar panels, he said.

And there was €1 billion for farmers to change land use practice, which needed to be frontloaded and quadrupled, he added.

The three measures outlined came in at a cost a lot less than €26 billion, and we would save money in the long-run.

Councillor Barrett also noted how gas prices have risen 90% and electricity by 60%, with many people in arrears. Yet the irony of it is gas and electricity are Mayo's main exports.

There has to be a way of subsiding solar panels and EVs for people, and if we are serious about climate action and their county strategy, they have to have a section putting pressure on government for funding.

Councillor Peter Flynn noted how there had been an opportunity for a significant grid upgrade with a 400kV line, that received strong kickback from councillors.

The opportunity was lost and now they are struggling to send power back into the grid.