Wind power has been described as Ireland’s best tool in the fight against climate change and a growing source of jobs and investment in rural Ireland.

A recent report, ‘Economic Impact of Onshore Wind in Ireland’, published by KPMG found that Ireland’s onshore wind energy industry currently employs around 5,000 people and that figure is expected to rise to 7,000 by the time. 2030.

The KPMG report was funded by Wind Energy Ireland with additional support from Bord na Móna, Brookfield Renewables, Coillte and Statkraft Ireland.

Onshore wind energy accounts for over € 400 million per year for the Irish economy and contributes € 45 million in commercial tariffs each year, and increasing, to county councils to fund local services.

“Irish wind farms are reducing our CO emissions₂ of 4 million tonnes per year and increasing, ”said Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland. “This report shows that in addition to being essential in the fight against climate change, wind farms are increasingly at the heart of the Irish economy.

“It shows that we can reduce our carbon emissions while creating jobs, attracting investment and building stronger, more sustainable communities. This is what the just transition looks like.

Among the main findings of the report are:

– Irish wind farms currently support more than 5,100 jobs directly and through the supply chain, and this number could rise to more than 7,000 by 2030.

– Onshore wind represents € 410 million per year for today’s economy, most of it concentrated in rural Ireland.

– Wind farms pay more than 45 million euros in commercial tariffs to county councils and this figure is expected to double by the end of the decade.