Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 April 2018
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the proportion of electricity generated from oil, gas, coal, wind, solar or other renewable sources; the extent to which the present position is in line with expectations and international requirements; when it is expected that renewable sources will meet international targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18328/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. It identifies the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050. It does not set out targets for specific renewable technologies; rather it provides a framework to guide policy between now and 2030.
The EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In addition, Ireland's renewable energy portfolio post-2020 will have regard to our obligations and member state contribution that may be agreed as part of an EU-wide renewables target under the new Renewable Energy Directive, that is currently being negotiated under the Clean Energy Package.
Published data from the SEAI indicates that 27.2% of electricity, 6.8% of heat and 5.0% of transport energy requirements were met from renewable sources at end 2016. Overall, SEAI analysis shows that 9.5% of Ireland’s energy requirements in 2016 were met from renewable sources. The SEAI projects that Ireland will achieve between 13.2% and 15.4% of its 16% renewable energy target by 2020, indicating that Ireland should be between 82% and 96% of its target. While Ireland has made considerable progress in the decarbonisation of our energy sector in recent years this progress will need to accelerate in pace in the coming years.
While the focus of my Department remains firmly on meeting our 2020 renewable target and on implementation of renewable energy measures, including the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme and the Support Scheme for Renewal Heat, contingency planning has commenced to explore the potential extent, mechanisms and costs of addressing our targets within the framework of the 2009 Directive.
Details in relation to electricity system demand and fuel mix are publicly available on the EirGrid website at http://www.eirgridgroup.com/.
The following table provides a breakdown of 2016 generation for all technologies on a percentage basis.
|
Generation Technology |
Proportions of electricity generated (%) (2016) |
|
Oil |
1.0% |
|
Peat |
7.7% |
|
Coal |
15.6% |
|
Natural Gas |
50.6% |
|
Wind (normalised) |
20.4% (22.3%) |
|
Hydro (normalised) |
2.3% (2.5%) |
|
Other Renewables and Wastes |
2.5% |
|
Total |
100% |
