Thermal Generation
Currently, the main types of electricity generation in Ireland are thermal, hydro and wind. Thermal plants are those that use coal, gas, oil and peat. Oil is rarely used but by law, three days supply must be stored in all thermal plants in case of emergency. Imported coal is used in Moneypoint which accounts for up to 20% of electricity generation. 60% of electricity is generated by gas - of which 92% is imported. Peat is an indigenous fossil fuel from which approximately 11% of Ireland's electricity is generated. The rest is comprised of hydro, wind, CHP and other smaller generation plants.
Renewable Energy
Renewable generation makes up 15% of Ireland's generation portfolio however the target is 40% by 2020. Typically, it is thought that this means 40% wind - this is not correct. The renewable energy portfolio includes various hydro plants such as Ardnacrusha and pumped storage at Turlough Hill.
Sustainable Energy
There is a stark contrast between thermal generation and wind power. Both have negative and positive aspects. Wind is much cleaner but is not always available. Gas is a fossil fuel and emits CO2 but depending on the type of technology in use, it can be dispatched as quickly as a few minutes. An Taisce believes that a strong portfolio mix is the only sustainable energy solution. Currently, in the overall portfolio, Ireland is much too dependent on natural gas electricity generation. In the renewable energy portfolio, wind generation is also overly depended upon.