Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015
1132. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the land mass required to host the number of turbines it would take to meet the Government's target of 40% electricity generation from wind. [22219/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. To meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources. Ireland currently has approximately 2,600MW of renewable electricity generation of which 2,200MW is wind generation. It is estimated that between 3,500MW and 4,000MW of renewable electricity generation will be required to achieve the target of 40% renewable electricity by 2020. Given that we already have 2,600MW in place, we will need between approximately 900MW and 1,400MW additional generation to meet our 2020 target. The design of a wind farm, and hence the land mass it occupies, is a matter for the wind farm developer and must be carried out in accordance with the relevant planning legislation and guidance.
In this regard, work is being advanced by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, in conjunction with my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, on the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Guidelines. It is proposed to update certain sections of the existing guidelines. Draft guidelines were published in December 2013 for public consultation. Submissions were received from around 7,500 organisations and members of the public during the public consultation period. Following consideration of the submissions, the revisions to the guidelines will be finalised and issued to planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
Separately, my Department is preparing a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework, which is to be underpinned by a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment. The proposed Framework will be completed in 2015, and will be a high level strategic policy, which is intended for the guidance of persons seeking development consent primarily in relation to large scale renewable electricity projects, as well as for the guidance of planning authorities, statutory authorities and the public. The next stage of public consultation will commence in the coming weeks with the publication of the Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report.
