The Government\u2019s sudden interest in nuclear energy is a distraction tactic to mask their huge failures in developing this country\u2019s biggest natural resource – off-shore wind. That\u2019s according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.<\/p>\n
Deputy Whitmore said:<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an island nation, we should be a world leader in off-shore wind and a net exporter of energy. Instead, we are laggards because this and previous governments have failed to tap into this massive potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe now have zero off-shore wind being generated off the coast of Ireland, a worse position than 20 years ago, with no prospect of any coming on stream for at least five or six years.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of turning to nuclear \u2013 something which would take years to develop; comes with enormous risks; and cost huge sums of money \u2013 we should be doubling down on renewables, off-shore wind and solar.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing big on solar now will also massively reduce people\u2019s energy bills, by at least \u20ac450 per year. The Social Democrats have a five-point \u2018Solar For All\u2019 plan that we could roll out now to dramatically expand and improve supports for solar installation \u2013 starting with doubling the existing grant from \u20ac1,800 to \u20ac3,600 and the provision of a \u20ac1,000 grant for battery storage.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of muddying the waters by bringing nuclear energy into the debate, solar and wind power is where the Government\u2019s focus should be.\u201d<\/p>\n
May 7, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Government\u2019s sudden interest in nuclear energy is a distraction tactic to mask their huge failures in developing this country\u2019s biggest natural resource – off-shore wind. That\u2019s according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: \u201cAs an island nation, we should be a world leader in off-shore wind and a net exporter […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":17622,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[539,268,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy","category-jennifer-whitmore","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n