Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The 2009 renewable energy directive set Ireland a target of meeting 16% of total energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. I will skip over the figures I gave earlier to the House.

There is currently over 2,400 MW of renewable generation connected to the Irish grid. It is estimated that a total installed capacity of between 3,500 and 4,000 MW will be required in 2020. This is renewable generation from whatever source. Around 3,300 MW of additional renewable generation, predominantly from wind generation, has accepted grid connection offers. However, achievement of the renewable electricity target will be challenging. In order to achieve 40% target by 2020, an increase in the rate of build of both renewable generation infrastructure and the electricity transmission network will be required. Comprehensive engagement with local communities on the benefits for citizens of realising the potential of our indigenous renewable electricity resources will be essential to the roll-out of the infrastructure required.

Progress towards the renewable heat target is also proving challenging. Estimates by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland show that current policies will not deliver fully on our target of 12% renewable energy in the heat sector by 2020. In this regard, the analysis underpinning the draft bioenergy plan I mentioned earlier, which was published this month, sets out how an additional bioenergy focused measure in the heat sector would be a cost effective means of meeting Ireland's renewable energy heat target. The draft plan recommends, subject to State aid clearance and further Government approval, that a renewable heat incentive would be introduced in 2016 that would incentivise larger heat users to convert to renewable heating solutions.

The deployment of sustainable biofuels, as the Deputy is advocating, through the biofuels obligation scheme, will be the primary mechanism through which progression to the target for renewable transport will be achieved as well. Increased deployment of electric vehicles will also contribute towards the target of 10% of the energy in transport from renewables.

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