Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen has called on the Government to ramp up its spending plans and build a new super-grid to ensure Ireland takes full advantage of our energy resources, writes John Drennan.
He also said we need to be more supportive when it comes to the needs of the AI industry.
Amidst growing concern about the consumption of energy by data centres, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) declared that all new data centres seeking access to the power grid will be required to build their own power systems and report on their carbon emissions.
In today’s Irish Daily Mail Mr Cowen writes: “Ireland and Europe must embrace artificial intelligence.”
Warning that we are “falling behind” a revolution that “is already reshaping economies”, he said that “with EU-backed investment in education, research and infrastructure, Ireland can become a leader in AI”.
This, he warned, would require a major expansion in the Government’s faltering plans to develop sea-based wind power.
In a frank warning to the Coalition, he said: “While our Government has set a target of at least 5GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, we must go further – especially by tapping into the full potential of the west coast.”
The MEP pledged: “With the right investments in offshore infrastructure and grid connectivity, Ireland can achieve energy security and become a net exporter of clean energy, helping the EU transition away from Russian gas.”
Mr Cowen also tells of the need for a new Irish super-grid as part of a European network, but said political unease is high over the level of “major investment” required.
He added that Ireland needs to join “a European super-grid – linking Ireland’s vast wind resources with the wider European network”.
Mr Cowen said: “A 2022 study by UCD’s Energy Institute found that such a grid could cut energy costs across Europe by up to 32%.”
