Ireland's western region has 40% of the country's renewable wind power generating capacity, according to a plan to double the electricity transmission network.

Eirgrid, the independent electricity transmission system operator, launched its Euro 4bn Grid25 plan to develop the grid infrastructure of which Euro 1bn is to be invested in the west.

Ireland's transmission network could be doubled by the year 2050, boosting current capacity and supporting renewable energy development, according to the operator.

Gillian Buckley, chief executive officer of the Western Development Commission, told the Mayo News: "The western region has about 40% of the entire country's renewable capacity, making it a key natural resource for the region.

"It may be fair to say that wind and ocean energy are the western region's own clean sustainable oil-fields."

She added that existing transmission systems is inadequate to support future renewable power as well as current needs and praised the Grid25 plan, saying it would stimulate investment in renewables.

Ireland has 6,000 kilometres of overhead transmissions, 4,000 of which are set to be upgraded and 1,000 more constructed to meet a predicted 60% growth in electricity demand in a decade.

Islands off the coast of Ireland could be powered completely by renewable resources from their environment, a minister has claimed.

A feasibility study is being carried out to determine whether wind and wave power and other renewables could provide islands with their electricity, heat and transport needs.

The study is to be conducted on the Aran Islands, which rely on the mainland for energy, but with an eye to extending the lessons to other islands.

It has been commissioned by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI).

Minister for communications, energy and natural resources Eamon Ryan said: "The development of an integrated wind and ocean-powered energy system could make the islands self-sufficient in terms of energy supply, would create jobs, boost tourism and could even provide models for improved use of natural resources for the whole island of Ireland."

Last month, Mr Ryan said that Ireland aims to generate 40% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Speaking to an Economist Business Roundtable he said that part of the answer to problems of climate change and energy independence was the development of clean energy.
Edie.net