Does WWF recognise the importance of diversity of fuel supply for energy generation in Northern Ireland?
A. WWF supports the diversification of fuel supply, but only in terms of a shift away from fossil fuels to renewable resources. However, WWF questions the above definition of renewables as “finite”. Renewable resources such as wind power or solar power are effectively an infinite source of energy. Furthermore, renewable energy sources have the potential to meet all of the island’s demands, for example, offshore wind power alone could supply up to 182% of the projected demand by 2005, so finite would appear to be an inappropriate description in this context. The question of diversity of fuel supply for energy generation is important. For example, the shift away from coal and oil towards natural gas has already helped to reduce Northern Ireland’s level of CO2 emissions. However WWF is concerned that the argument for diversification of fuel supply for energy may be used to justify the further exploitation of fossil fuels, be they imported, like Orimulsion, or indigenous like the lignite d
