Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
636. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his long-term plans to achieve maximum progress towards a dramatic reduction in reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation, including the domestic market, the transport and food sectors, without negative economic impact or reduced production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37867/18]
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. At its heart is a commitment to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050 and envisages a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the energy system by 80-95% relative to 1990 levels by 2050. The White Paper identifies the importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050 but also recognises that some fossil fuels will remain significant elements of Ireland’s energy supply in that transition period. Furthermore, the National Mitigation Plan 2017 restates the Government's commitment to move from a fossil fuel based electricity system to a low carbon power system.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Overall, provisional SEAI analysis shows that 10.6% of Ireland’s energy requirements in 2017 were met from renewable sources with renewable electricity generation accounting for 30.1% of electricity demand in the same period. Given Ireland's baseline starting point in the reference year of 2005, when Ireland was in the bottom quartile of renewable energy in Europe, Ireland has made significant progress and is expected to achieve over 80% of its renewable energy target by 2020. The SEAI has also estimated that the contribution of renewables avoided €276 million of fossil fuel imports in 2017.
Ireland aims to increase renewable energy in transport by increasing the use of sustainable biofuels and by the increased deployment of Electric Vehicles (EV). An EV Grant Scheme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), is in place to provide grant aid of up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new full battery EV or Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). A new grant to support the installation of home charger points for buyers of new and second-hand EVs is in place since January 2018. Other significant initiatives to advance Ireland's level of renewable energy include the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme and the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat.
In June of this year the EU agreed an EU-wide binding renewable energy target of 32% out to 2030 and Ireland’s contribution to this ambition will be informed by the development of Ireland’s first integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), a draft of which will be submitted to the Commission in December.
The agriculture sector has a key role to play in helping Ireland meet its renewable energy targets. Bioenergy will be an important part in the renewable energy mix for Ireland and thus displacing fossil fuel usage. The sector is a key supplier of bioenergy feedstock including forest thinnings and animal by-products such as residues from the meat processing industry, slurries and other agricultural by-products.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) currently offers funding under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme for planting fast growing species. In addition, DAFM provides supports for farmers wishing to avail of Renewable Heat technologies in the form of supports for biomass boilers and air-source heat pumps. Grant aid is also available for solar panels used for electricity production (photovoltaic) and water heating. Energy efficient grants for the dairy sector are also being provided through the SEAI.
In addition Bord Bia operates Origin Green, Ireland’s national sustainability programme for the food and drink sector. The Programme sets out meaningful and measurable sustainability goals which help the sector reduce their environmental impact and achieve efficiencies in the daily running of their businesses. Complimentary programmes like these delivered across a number of Government Departments are crucial in delivering our climate and energy ambitions as laid out in the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.
