Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources in view of the nuclear reactor issue in Japan, his plans regarding the alternative energy programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10976/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number, location and type of alternative energy projects submitted to him for wider Government approval; the degree to which he expects to approve such projects with a view to increasing energy production through renewable resources with consequent reduction on dependence on imported oil and gas; if he will set out his most ambitious targets in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10936/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 27 together.

The tragic events in Japan and the geopolitical events in North Africa and the Middle East underline the imperative for Ireland and the European Union as a whole to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Radical improvements in energy efficiency and the continued development and deployment of renewable energy are key priorities for the Government and this fully resonates with EU energy policy objectives. In line with Ireland's legally binding target of 16% for renewable energy by 2020 under the renewable energy directive, the Government is committed to ensuring the progressive deployment of renewable energy across the transport, heat and electricity sectors.

The significant level of growth in renewable energy required over the next decade is challenging. Ireland's national renewable energy action plan, which was submitted to the European Commission in 2010, sets out the projections for achieving the target and outlines the challenges to be addressed. These challenges include timely delivery of grid infrastructure, planning permission, regulatory certainty and managing the interaction between renewable energy and environmental and biodiversity obligations. Ireland's overall EU target will be largely achieved through the electricity sector with a target of 40% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020. This will be combined with a target of 12% in the heat sector and 10% in the transport sector.

The incremental increase in renewable electricity is being delivered through the roll-out of projects under the Gate 3 grid connection process overseen by the Commission for Energy Regulation. I have no role with regard to the consideration or approval of projects under this process. The grid connections for these projects require the corresponding building out of the grid infrastructure, under EirGrid's Grid 25 strategy. Most of the 3,900 MW in Gate 3 is made up of onshore wind projects. By 2020, 36% of Ireland's electricity consumption will come from wind - proportionately the highest in the EU. At present, there is 1,448 MW of wind connected to the grid, which represents approximately 15% of the country's electricity demand.

Our targets for renewable energy are ambitious but achievable. They also are vital to reducing Ireland's economic and strategic dependence on imported fossil fuels and to the progressive de-carbonisation of the economy.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his comprehensive answer. I have two brief supplementary questions. Work was under way on a wave energy project in north-west County Mayo and I understand there was a great deal of interest in developing that form of energy on a commercial basis. What is the updated position in respect of that work?

Many of our wind energy resources are off the west coast, be they on land or sea. Has the Government plans to consider providing national finances to ensure we can access that energy and have a grid to carry the energy? Many of the areas in question do not have robust grid connections.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Deputy is correct, in that the quality of wind supply along the west coast is the best in the country. There are those who would argue it is the best in Europe. Deputy Ó Cuív fully understands how the Government is constrained in terms of sourcing investment for this type of project. None the less, the commercial sector in this area is growing and it is our task to facilitate such growth. As the Deputy knows, a feed-in tariff would be required. It is regrettable that we are constrained, as this sector is already making a significant contribution to the reliance of electricity production on wind. There is tremendous further capacity.

The Taoiseach asked me this week to examine the wave energy research project in more detail than I have managed to date. I will let the Deputy know the outcome.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Resources have always been constrained but we managed to provide national infrastructure in times when we were much poorer than we are now. If infrastructure is required to bring large quantities of electricity from the west coast to the market, will the Minister ensure that its absence will not serve as a constraint on realising the potential of these resources for the people?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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As one can infer from the Deputy's question, he knows that feedback to the grid is an expensive part of the process. He will also be aware of EirGrid's ambitious investment plans for its development programme. Notwithstanding recently published reports to the effect that, due to the dramatic step down in economic activity, we could afford to pull back on some of these plans, we are not minded to do so. It is possible to build out some of the plans at a lesser cost than was the case only a couple of years ago. I can give the Deputy support on that question.