Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 November 2012
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which non-fossil fuel electricity production contributes to the national electricity grid; the extent to which targets have been met regarding this to date; his plans for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53579/12]
View answerUnder the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland is legally required to ensure that 16% of all energy consumed is from renewable sources by 2020. This target must be met across the electricity, heating and transport sectors, with a sub-target of 10% in transport. In order to meet 16% of total energy, Ireland requires 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable transport and 12% renewable heat in 2020.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has recently published a report entitled Energy in Ireland. It shows that in absolute terms, the total use of renewables in Ireland has almost trebled between 2003 and 2011. In 2011, renewable energy accounted for 6.5% of overall energy:
- 17.6% of electricity usage
- 5% of thermal energy
- 3.6% of transport energy
The use of renewable energy avoided the emission of about 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2011. The use of wind energy in 2011 in Ireland is estimated to have reduced fuel imports by about €300 million. Achieving the requisite increase to meet our legally binding target in the relatively short timeframe available will be challenging.
In the electricity sector, EirGrid’s “Gate 3” initiative provides for sufficient new renewable generation to meet the 40% electricity sub-target. EirGrid is ensuring sufficient grid upgrade as part of its Grid25 programme as well as ensuring under the “DS3” programme that the necessary operational changes are made to the grid so that our 40% target can be achieved. It is estimated that around 200 MW of new renewable generation needs to be connected per annum to ensure our target is met. New renewable plants from onshore wind, hydro and biomass can apply to participate in the REFIT (Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff) scheme, administered by my Department.
