The founder and CEO of fast-food chain Supermac's has suggested that the State and ESB should consider reopening the closed down peat fired power stations in Lanesborough and Shannonbridge and the defunct windfarm in Derrybrien in order to address the energy challenge this winter.
Pat McDonagh also predicted that the soaring cost of energy and other inputs would lead to up to 10% of smaller catering focused businesses closing over the next six months.
"The energy crisis is a national emergency for business and will worsen as we go into the winter," he said in a video posted on the company's LinkedIn account.
"The energy crisis is going to impact everyone, not alone the business world but also in the domestic market. Energy is going to be one of our biggest challenges over the next 12 months," he said.
Mr McDonagh, who operates the fast-food chain, a number of hotels and several motorway plazas, said the business had experienced a 150% increase in energy costs this year .
He also predicted the increase would rise to 200% by Christmas.
"So where we were paying 14.9 cent a unit last December, that went in January to 38 cent per unit, then we went back to 26 cent per unit and now it has gone up to 38 cent again with the expectation level that it is going to go to close to 50 cent before Christmas," he claimed.
"What I would be afraid of is anyone that is using a lot of electricity in their business, whether it is in the catering business or manufacturing or whatever, it is going to have a major impact," he stated.
The entrepreneur suggested that steps could be taken to ease concerns around energy security by exploring the possible reopening of two ESB owned peat-fired power stations in Lanesborough, Co Longford and Shannonbridge, Co Offaly.
The plants closed in December 2020 and the ESB plans to demolish them to make way for electrical grid system support technology hubs.
"I think the power stations that have been closed should be looked at to reopen and any other measures, whether it is solar power or wind turbines," he stated.
Mr McDonagh also floated the idea of restarting the 70 wind turbines at Derrybrien in Co Galway.
They are to be dismantled following more than two decades of controversy over the planning process for the site on the Slieve Aughty mountains.
"From where we are sitting at the moment, there are 71 wind turbines lying idle that can produce enough electricity for 40,000 households and yet they are lying idle," he said.
"Now I think it is as a directive from the European Union, but we are in a crisis situation, and in a crisis situation sometimes decisions have to be made. It is green energy, there is nothing wrong with it, it can be turned on in the morning, and why not do that," he urged.
He also called for improvements to the planning process to speed up the rollout of solar energy projects.
"Improve the planning process so you can get planning through as a matter of urgency in this situation and proceed then," he claimed.
"Farmers have plenty of hay sheds and slatted sheds all over the country that can be used for solar power," he suggested.
"Let's get moving on it, let’s get grants available. This will pay back, more so now than ever, because of the price it is going to," he added.
