Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:2275. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of producing 100% of electricity from wind. [33586/19]
View answerTuesday, 23 July 2019
Questions (2275)
Written answers
In the recently launched All of Government Climate Action Plan, I have set a target of 70% for renewable electricity by 2030, to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change.
Analysis and modelling to underpin the Plan assessed a range of options to ensure that Ireland meets its 2030 climate and energy ambitions. The Plan is not a capital budgeting plan, but does identify the range of technical, regulatory, legislative and economic factors that arise in realising this target. Major capital investment will be needed in new generation capacity, but also in system service infrastructure and electricity transmission and distribution networks. In addition, increased interconnection (including to France and further interconnection to the UK) will be required to facilitate the large up-scaling in onshore and offshore wind required so that we can balance the grid and ensure supply security.
Looking beyond 2030, moving to a fully renewable electricity system would require even greater investment in interconnection, storage and potentially other technologies such as carbon capture and storage to support the extra renewable energy capacity required.
More broadly, the Government supports the adoption of a net zero target by 2050 at EU level. The Climate Action Plan puts in place a decarbonisation pathway to 2030 which would be consistent with the adoption of a net zero target in Ireland by 2050. The Plan also commits to evaluating in detail the changes which would be necessary in Ireland to achieve this target including for the electricity sector.
Question No. 2276 answered with Question No. 2184.