Ireland shoots for greener economy

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DUBLIN, Ireland, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- There may be enough wind power and other forms of alternative energy in Ireland to remove 250 million tons of carbon dioxide by 2050, the government said.

The Sustainable Energy Authority in Ireland outlined plans that promote the development of sustainable energy for the country. J. Owen Lewis, chief executive at the SEAI, said the plans outline a way to decarbonize the Irish energy sector in the long term.

"They show a great many benefits, including reduced energy imports leading to increased security of supply, increased use of renewables leading to lower CO2 emissions and significant employment and economic opportunities," he said in a statement.

Lewis said Ireland aims to develop more so-called smart grids and reduce the level of overall fossil fuel imports in an effort to decrease CO2 emissions.

Using wind energy to generate electricity while putting more electric vehicles on the road could make the economy greener by 2050, he said.

The European Union set ambitious targets to "decarbonize" its energy sector by 2050. The Platts news service last week reported that Germany this year used 3.5 percent more renewable energy this year than last, a record for the country.