Electricity Generation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Questions (353)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

353. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of megawatts of power Ireland needs on a daily basis; the maximum number of megawatts that has been contributed by wind energy to the national grid; the minimum number of megawatts that wind energy has contributed to the national grid; the average number of megawatts wind energy has contributed to the national grid over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53832/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The peak demand for electricity varies across the year, but is approximately 3,000 megawatts (MWs) in summer and 5,000 MWs in winter. 1,880 MWs of wind generation capacity is connected in Ireland and its output varies according to wind conditions. On 5 December this year, a new record high for wind generation output of 1,588 MW was reached, and in 2012, an average of 15.5% of power was generated from wind in Ireland.It should be noted that the 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a binding target of 16% of our total energy requirements to come from renewable sources by 2020. In order to achieve this overall target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable generation by 2020. To date wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target.