IRISH wind farm operators Airtricity and Swiss engineering giant ABB have completed a study into creating a European 'supergrid' linking national grids to be powered from offshore wind farms. Such a grid - which would cost billions - would carry power to where it is needed.
IRISH wind farm operators Airtricity and Swiss engineering giant ABB have completed a study into creating a European 'supergrid' linking national grids to be powered from offshore wind farms. Such a grid - which would cost billions - would carry power to where it is needed.
Aggregating wind power across Europe would smooth the output of wind energy - making it a more attractive source of alternative energy.
When there is no wind available the cables would allow efficient energy trading between European states.
Chris Veal, the UK-based Airtricity director promoting the supergrid, said: "This is still at the concept stage but we have carried out a study that shows the economic feasibility of such a grid. We are considering how to bring it forward. It is an idea that we are fully supportive of. "We are not putting a scale on how much this would cost, but looking at it in terms of potential at the moment. It is part of the long-term vision of Airtricity as we see ourselves building many more offshore wind farms …
Aggregating wind power across Europe would smooth the output of wind energy - making it a more attractive source of alternative energy.
When there is no wind available the cables would allow efficient energy trading between European states.
Chris Veal, the UK-based Airtricity director promoting the supergrid, said: "This is still at the concept stage but we have carried out a study that shows the economic feasibility of such a grid. We are considering how to bring it forward. It is an idea that we are fully supportive of. "We are not putting a scale on how much this would cost, but looking at it in terms of potential at the moment. It is part of the long-term vision of Airtricity as we see ourselves building many more offshore wind farms in the future," he said.
The European Union has set itself a target of 21pc of electricity from renewable energy and much of this is expected to come from wind energy. Mr Veal has estimated that a supergrid could be built in five years.