Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2016
176. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the efforts being made in relation to bringing to an end the burning of coal and oil and the use of natural gas in our electricity generations stations. [32496/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy White Paper, Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030, sets out a long-term vision to guide Irish energy policy and actions to be taken in the energy sector from now until 2030, in order to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050 and reduce our fossil fuel dependency. In 2015, the contribution of coal, natural gas and oil to gross electricity generation stood at 16.9%, 43% and 1.4% respectively. The Energy Policy Paper recognises that key decisions on the future of Moneypoint will have to be taken before 2020 as the station comes to the end of its operating life in its current configuration in 2025.
The Programme for Government commits to reducing import dependency while maintaining energy security, affordability and reducing energy-related emissions. As part of the work being done by my Department, a Working Group has been established to look at the overall fuel mix in the energy sector, including the role of coal and possible replacement fuels, and the role Moneypoint plays in relation to the operation and stability of the electricity grid.
The EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable energy sources, with the latter target also being legally binding.
The Government has a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy and although good progress towards the target has been made to date, meeting the 16% target remains challenging. In 2015, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has estimated that 25.3% of electricity was generated by renewable sources, of which 22.8% was generated by onshore wind.
Analysis by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland show that 9.1% of Ireland's overall energy requirements in 2015 were met from renewable sources and that this avoided €286 million of fossil fuel imports.
