Why NISA?
Energy Security
NISA is keenly aware of Ireland’s need to secure its own energy future.
Despite increasing availability to renewable energy, Ireland is one of the most energy import-dependent countries in the EU. Global events over the last number of years make it clear that this is not a sustainable situation.
Providing sufficient electricity supplies to avoid potential power shortages has become increasingly challenging.
Having our own secure energy supply will shield us from global market energy price increases.
Consider:
Effect of Wind on Energy Prices
Wind Energy Ireland’s Annual Wind Energy Report for 2024 reveals how much wind energy can reduce the price of wholesale electricity. During the windiest periods of December 2024, the price of electricity per megawatt hour was three times cheaper than the the periods with the least wind.
Wind Energy Facts
- Wind energy is a clean, sustainable source of energy
- Wind energy drives down the cost of electricity
- At any one time, the grid can operate at 85% renewable energy
- The renewable energy projects are there to deliver 80% renewable energy usage by 2030
- A WEI/Baringa report showed that 4.1GW of wind energy was installed in Ireland over 20 years, at a cost of €1 per person per year.
- Wind energy provided 41% of our electricity in December 2024 making it the second-best December on record
- In 2024, Ireland passed 5,000 MW of onshore wind, more than halfway to 2030 target
Sustainable energy can be defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations.
The need to deliver a sustainable future is vital. The burning of fossil fuels to power our homes and businesses has pumped greenhouse gases into the atmosphere – disrupting the climate, and inflicting floods, wildfires, and violent storms on every region of the globe.
Recent reports show the risks associated with securing energy from overseas, while the increasing cost of fossil fuel-based energy has been felt by households across the country. The answer to these issues is sitting on our doorstep and just waiting to be realised.
We must address the issues of climate change. To do so, developing more secure and sustainable sources of renewable energy is essential.
Not only does NISA have the potential to develop a sustainable form of energy, but it is also guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The sustainability of the project is strengthened by delivering climate action, by ensuring a responsible supply chain and by engaging in essential and meaningful stakeholder engagement with the local community and the resident fishing community.
Climate Action
The urgency of the need to deliver climate action is now beyond any doubt. This urgency, coupled with the visible impacts of climate change can lead many of us to a sense of helplessness and fear.
According to a recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency, called Climate Change in the Irish Mind:
of Irish people are worried about climate change
say that climate change will harm future generations
say that Ireland has a responsibility to act on climate change
NISA can help tackle climate change by:
- Powering thousands of homes with clean energy
- Displacing thousands of tonnes of CO2
- Providing green energy to power homes, heating, cars and businesses
- Helping Ireland meet its ambitious targets of 80% renewables by 2030
- Delivering a dedicated Community Benefit Fund that could help local households adopt low-carbon technologies like retrofitting, insulation, and heating solutions.
In the most recent Climate Action Plan, Ireland committed to increasing its offshore wind capacity to 5GW by 2030 and reach 80% renewable energy by 2030. NISA has a key role to play in reaching these targets.
And this is possible. More than a third of Ireland’s electricity came from wind in 2024.
Ireland’s electricity grid started out as a world leader in renewable energy with the construction and operation of the Ardnacrusha facility in the 1929. Our electricity demand has continued to grow over the years, and it is clear that our electricity generation system needs to revert to its roots in developing a clean, green renewable energy mix.