Madam, - As concerns about energy prices, climate change and security of energy sources grow, Ireland is fortunate to have access to one of the world's best wind energy resources.
The comments made by your correspondent Dick Keane (July 23rd) are misleading and contrary to scientific fact.
Wind is one of the most dependable long-term sources of energy available and, contrary to Mr Keane's assertion, most of it is actually generated at times of higher demand.
As a fully reliable electricity supply is required, it is essential to have backup capacity available for all generating resources.
The main reason for this remains the risk of a sudden tripping of a large conventional power plant.
These backup plants must generate at lower levels, to have capacity available to respond when required, and so are not "all fired up", as suggested by Mr Keane.
The contribution wind energy makes to reducing CO2 emissions is well established and repeatedly proven by scientific study and actual experience.
The in-depth all-island grid study, 2008, conducted by top international researchers, demonstrated that increasing levels of renewable generation (mostly wind) in Ireland would reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 24 per cent.
The price study Mr Keane refers to was released in early 2004 and is based on an oil price of around $30 a barrel and technical assumptions that are no longer valid.
The report has been updated by its authors, EirGrid, in 2007 to account for these factors.
The updated report and actual data from the single electricity market demonstrates that the current effect of wind generation is to reduce electricity prices.
The Irish Wind Energy Association has over 300 members from all sectors of the wind industry, including developers, manufacturers, banks, professional service firms and other proponents of sustainable energy.
We are committed to working with others in Ireland's energy industry to harness our wind resource for the benefit of Irish society. - Yours, etc,
Dr MICHAEL WALSH,
CEO, Irish Wind Energy Association,
Killowen House,
Southernlink Business Park,
Naas.