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Electricity Generation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2021

Tuesday, 1 June 2021

Questions (182, 183)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent of the shift away from fossil fuels for the generation of electricity; if this is in line with targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29802/21]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the national grid currently relies and draws on renewable energy as a percentage of total requirement; if he has specific new proposals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29803/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.

Under the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC Ireland committed to meeting a target of at least 16% of gross final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. To assist in meeting this target, Ireland set a national target of achieving 40% of electricity produced from renewable sources.

In 2019, 36.5% of electricity in Ireland was generated from renewable sources, based on the calculation methodology set out in the Renewable Energy Directive, compared to 15.6% in 2010. Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provisional figures for 2020 show 38.9% of electricity in Ireland was generated from renewable sources.

More information on Ireland's renewable energy use can be found in the SEAI report Energy in Ireland 2020 which is available at www.seai.ie. The Energy in Ireland report is updated on an annual basis and published in the last quarter of the year. Information on energy use for the year 2020 may be found in the 2020 Provisional Energy Balance, which is also available on the Authority's website.

EirGrid's Generation Capacity Statement, which is published annually, sets out the expected levels of electricity generation and demand for each year over the coming decade.  EirGrid is also currently undertaking a 'Shaping our Electricity Future' consultation across the three dimensions of electricity networks, power system operation, and electricity markets with the aim of developing an integrated vision of the 2030 power system and electricity market. The draft strategy comprises four approaches to achieving this, as well as meeting the projected increased demand for electricity over the coming years.

The Programme for Government 2020 sets a target of at least a 70% renewable share in electricity production by 2030. This will contribute to meeting the Programme for Government target of reducing Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030, meeting the long-term target of climate neutrality by 2050, and to meeting the EU-wide binding target, under the recast Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001, of 32% of the overall share of energy to come from renewable sources by 2030.

Question No. 183 answered with Question No. 182.
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