Recent events, including successful SBU operations attacking airfields in Russia, prompt reflection on the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. The question arises: could a relatively small sum of money (e.g., €800-€1200) seemingly be enough to cause a nationwide blackout? Recent events regrettably suggest this is entirely possible.

The entire purpose of power grids is to distribute energy across the country. Ireland is actively developing alternative energy, and I sincerely hope this plan includes bypass mechanisms for failures. However, the incident on January 24, 2025, when a powerful storm left over half a million homes without electricity (some waiting up to seven days for restoration), shows how vulnerable we are. What would happen if an attack were directed at the power grids? How quickly could the consequences be mitigated? It’s crucial to avoid a situation where wind and sun are abundant, but there’s no electricity.

The Path to Energy Security: Diversification and New Technologies
The only correct path in energy is the diversification of the entire system. Currently, there’s a clear trend towards the creation of large wind turbines, which could dictate service costs in the future. It’s urgent to develop small-scale wind generation, implement “Mechanical Heat Pump” installations, and also expand biogas production with substrate heating using these same “Mechanical Heat Pumps” (which also yield high-quality fertilizers as a byproduct).

Additionally, small and large-scale greenhouses should be built across the country. There’s a technology capable of generating hot water up to 50°C 24/7 for 25 years; it needs to be massively implemented.

Only such steps, taken without delay, can curb and even reduce electricity costs in the future.