Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
159. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a detailed breakdown by percentage on the way he plans intends to achieve the target of delivering up to 80% of Ireland’s electricity from a combination of onshore and offshore renewable sources of electricity by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51867/21]
View answerThe National Development Plan 2021-2030 sets out a €12.9 billion indicative allocation for my Department which underpins our commitment to achieving a climate neutral, sustainable, and digitally connected Ireland. Our goal is that up to 80% of our electricity will come from renewable generation by the end of the decade. We will increase the share of renewable electricity generation through measures to be set out in the forthcoming Climate Action Plan.
The goal of up to 80% of our electricity from renewable generation by the end of the decade will contribute to Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets by substituting primarily wind and solar electricity generation for fossil fuel electricity generation, as well as displacing emissions in other sectors, for example, through the electrification of car transport and residential heat. The detailed measures and actions to deliver on these emissions targets are will be set out in the forthcoming Climate Action Plan.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the Government’s flagship programme to deliver on our renewable electricity targets by providing support to renewable electricity projects through competitive auctions to determine the technology mix at least cost to electricity consumers. This technology mix will include onshore wind, offshore wind, and grid-scale solar. The second RESS auction is planned to be held next year and I will shortly bring the final auction design to Government for approval.
My Department is also developing the first of a series of RESS auctions specific to offshore wind, the terms and conditions of which have been recently published for consultation. Further onshore and at least two further offshore wind auctions are planned this decade to achieve our 2030 targets.
In addition, EirGrid are due to shortly finalise their ‘Shaping Our Electricity Future’ strategy, which will inform the policy and regulatory measures required for the development of the national grid to enable achievement of the 2030 renewable electricity target.
