andMr. Kelly asked the Minister for Energy the ratio between economic growth in energy demand in Ireland in each year since 1970; if he expects that Ireland will be able to reach the EEC target of achieving a ratio of 0.8 in 1985 and 0.7 in 1990 as against the ratio of 1.0 which had obtained for some time in the EEC.
Written Answers. - Energy Needs.
377.
The table below gives the percentage growth in total primary energy input (TPE) and GDP over the years 1970 to 1980.
|
Year |
Growth in TPE |
Growth in GDP |
Ratio(1)/(2) |
|
(%)(1) |
(%)(2) |
(3) |
|
|
1969-70 |
7.7 |
3.2 |
2.4 |
|
1970-71 |
17.9 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
|
1971-72 |
0.6 |
5.6 |
0.1 |
|
1972-73 |
3.8 |
5.2 |
0.7 |
|
1973-74 |
1.8 |
3.0 |
0.6 |
|
1974-75 |
-5.9 |
0.8 |
-7.4 |
|
1975-76 |
3.7 |
2.4 |
1.5 |
|
1976-77 |
6.4 |
5.5 |
1.2 |
|
1977-78 |
2.7 |
6.7 |
0.4 |
|
1978-79 |
12.5 |
1.9 |
6.6 |
|
1979-80 |
-5.1 |
1.0 |
-5.1 |
The EEC target ratio of 0.8 by 1985 is for the Community as a whole and does not necessarily set a target for any one country. GDP is only one relevant factor in determining energy consumption. There are a number of points which are very important in our case.
1. We have a lower level of energy consumption per head of population than other more industrially advanced countries in the EEC.
2. Our population growth is expected to be high.
3. Because of the small size of our economy the development of a large energy intensive industry would have a major effect on our energy consumption.
In these circumstances, while we expect considerable improvement in the efficiency of our energy usage, it is not possible to forecast with any reasonable degree of precision what the energy/economic growth ratios will be over the next five years.