Repower Industries

Implementing renewable energy and achieving industrial self-sufficiency in Ireland faces challenges such as infrastructure development, grid integration, financial support, regulatory frameworks, skills development, public awareness, market integration, and research and innovation. There is a significant potential for County Carlow, located in the southeast of Ireland with a population of 61,931, to contribute to the battle against climate change by utilising renewable energy sources. There are a variety of renewable energy technologies that have been evaluated in Carlow, which can be harnessed in a sustainable manner, without adversely affecting the environment. These include wind energy, solar energy, bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydropower, and waste-to-energy energy.

A Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) for Carlow has aim to provide a sustainable spatial development strategy for Carlow with clear guidance on the future use of land, a framework for future investment in physical, social infrastructure, tourism and the economy and strategies to protect the diversity of the natural and cultural landscape in urban and rural environments. One solution to the challenges faced due to the variability of renewable energy is energy storage. This involves storing the excess energy produced during times of low demand to be used at a later stage when demand is higher. Developing energy storage in Carlow would allow the county to maximise the potential of its natural resources.