Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
523. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which electricity generation is now sourced from alternative non-fossil fuel sources; the extent to which such sources now meet the daily requirements of the national grid; his plans for future development in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27342/13]
View answerIreland currently has 1,763 MW of installed wind generation, 238 MW of hydro power and 71 MW of smaller renewable sources (combined heat and power, solar and bio-energy). In 2012 this installed renewable generation capacity met 19.5% of overall electricity demand.
As regards proposed targets for the future, under the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland is legally required to increase the use of renewable energy from 3.1% in 2005 to 16% in 2020, with minimum targets of 10% in the transport sector and 12% in heating. The intention is to reach Ireland's overall target through 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable transport and 12% renewable heating, which together amount to 16% of all energy consumption.
Under the Renewables Directive, Ireland was required to set out in a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) the trajectory towards meeting its legally binding target. The NREAP and the First Progress Report on the NREAP, which are available on my Department's website, show the sectoral and technology breakdown that we anticipate in the achievement of our target. Wind generated electricity is expected to play a major role.
Wind energy is the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target. However, if we are to reach that target, the build rate of onshore wind farms must accelerate from an historic average of 180 MW per year to at least 250 MW per year. It was for this reason that I decided to amend the terms of REFIT 2 to extend the closing date for applications to 31 December 2015, with projects required to be built by the end of December 2017. Support under REFIT 2 cannot exceed 15 years and will not extend beyond the end of December 2032.
