Wind energy and investment

Sir, – An interesting aspect to Ian Curran’s article on the proposed development by Mainstream Renewable Power of three offshore wind farms was not the creation of 100 jobs over the next three years or that it will support the Government’s emissions targets for the electricity sector by 2030, but the fact that its previous onshore wind developments were sold on to multinational conglomerates (“Mainstream Renewable Power re-enters Irish market with three new projects”, Business, August 16th).

IDA Ireland is supporting this Mainstream development.

Unlike onshore development where the land is privately owned, the State is the owner of the sea floor and thereby the owner of the wind resource. Our electricity grid is also State owned. Regarding future offshore developments whereby bidding auctions will take place for developers, could the Government provide an opportunity for the Irish people to invest as a shareholder in one of our prized indigenous resources?

The euphoric flotation of a state asset at the end of the last century generated massive interest throughout the country with over a half million people signing up to buy-in. Creating a sense of ownership with one of our State-owned assets would unite the Irish people in supporting the transition from our dependence on fossil fuels to our greatest natural resource. – Yours, etc,