I propose to take Questions Nos. 795 and 796 together.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a binding target whereby 16% of our energy requirements should come from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet our overall 16% requirement, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources.
In 2012, 5,254.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity was produced from renewable sources. The breakdown by sector is as follows:
Technology Amount (GWh)
Hydropower 802.0
Windpower 4,010.0
Landfill gas 175.0
Wood 180.0
Biogas 24.0
Renewable waste and other 63.0
Solar (PV) 0.50
It is estimated that to deliver on our 40% target, a total of between 3,500 and 4,000 MW of renewable generation capacity will be required. It is anticipated that onshore wind will provide the bulk of this capacity.