Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2014
17. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the planned wind farm project in the midlands by a company (details supplied), in view of the fact that the planned export of wind generated electricity to Britain was shelved. [47118/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraEconomic analysis conducted by the Department clearly indicated that, under agreed policy and regulatory conditions, renewable energy trading could deliver significant economic benefits to Ireland and the UK, as well as being attractive to developers. However, given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and some key decisions that the UK are not yet in a position to take, delivery by 2020 of renewable energy trading will not be possible. In the context of a European Internal Energy Market, it would appear that greater trade in energy between Britain and Ireland is likely in the post-2020 scenario.
However, the overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure, sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. As a State we have ambitious targets for 16% of our energy to be provided from renewable sources by 2020 through meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, with 10% renewables in transport and 12% in heat.
Underpinning the Government’s energy policy objectives are five strategic goals, as outlined in the Government’s Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012 – 2020, including increasing renewable electricity from onshore wind power for the domestic market.
In 2013, 7.8% of Ireland’s overall energy requirement was met by renewable energy, equating to 20.9% of electricity demand. To date wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. The total amount of wind generation connected to the grid is approximately 2,200 MW. It is estimated that a total of between 3,500 and 4,000 MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity target. Over 3,000 MW of renewable generation has taken up connection offers under the Gate 3 grid connection programme. Therefore, private developers will be seeking planning consent for projects of varying scales to construct generation projects to meet our domestic needs. The progression of each individual project is, in the first instance, a matter between the project developer and the relevant statutory authorities, including ensuring that the requirements for public consultation are fully met.
