A group of engineers, academics, architects, geologists, and construction experts have launched a plan to make Ireland energy independent within five years.

The Spirit of Ireland group intends to harness wind power to ease our dependence on imported fossil fuels and deliver a €10bn stimulus to the economy. Harvesting wind energy involves the creation of hydro storage reservoirs, which store excess wind energy, providing more generation capacity when required. The group has earmarked a number of sites on the west coast of Ireland that could house these hydro storage reservoirs.

Spirit of Ireland wants the public to get in touch and give their opinion about the project at www.spiritofireland.org.