Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2015
171. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress in achieving an overall target of 10% of transport energy coming from renewable resources by 2020, if the target will be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45466/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland aims to meet this target mainly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels with electric vehicles also making a small contribution.
The Biofuels Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means through which Ireland would meet the transport target and is the principal support for the uptake of biofuels in Ireland. The scheme works by obligating road transport fuel suppliers to bring increasing amounts of biofuel to the transport fuel market. This has seen increased amounts of biofuel used in Ireland since the scheme was introduced and, in 2014, almost 167 million litres of biofuels were placed on the Irish transport fuel market.
In addition, the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme supports and incentivises, through grants of up to €5,000, the deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the Vehicle Registration Tax reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles (EVs). In addition, where technically feasible, customers who qualify for the grant also qualify for a free domestic charge point installed by the ESB. In 2015, 547 new EVs have been supported through the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme which represents more than half of the total of the 1,082 EVs supported since the programme began in 2011.
In 2014, 5.2% of transport energy requirements were from renewable sources.
