Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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42. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent by which he expects to reduce dependency on fuel or energy imports with particular reference to the utilisation of non-fossil fuels as a means of achieving national fuel security and reliability, and to reduce dependency on fossil fuels over the next ten years, by year; if this is in line with projections and requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44819/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The question attempts to focus on emerging needs in terms of renewable energy, in particular in the aftermath of the Paris conference on climate change and the extent to which it is possible to put in place a structure that will stand the country well in the future.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers as our energy system undergoes the radical transformation required to meet our climate change policy objectives. A well balanced fuel mix that provides reliable energy, minimises costs and protects against supply disruptions and price volatility is essential to Irish consumers as we make this transition. By 2050, greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector will be reduced by between 80% and 95%, compared to 1990 levels in line with the EU objective. By the end of the century in 2100 our greenhouse gas emissions will have fallen to zero or below. While fossil fuels will remain a progressively decreasing part of the energy mix as we transition to a largely decarbonised energy system by 2050, significant progress is already being made in increasing the share of renewables in that mix.

Our immediate focus is on the period to 2020. In addition to the EU's 2020 targets for emissions reductions, the 2009 EU renewable energy directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements 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 sources of energy, with the latter transport target also being legally binding.

Figures provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, show that, in 2014, 8.6% of Ireland's overall energy requirements were met from renewable sources. More specifically, the SEAI has calculated that 22.7% of electricity, 6.6% of heat and 5.2% of transport energy requirements were from renewable sources in 2014.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. To what extent does he anticipate each of the alternative energy sectors will provide a growing amount of reliable energy without displacing food production in general? To what extent does he expect to be able to rely on a reduction in importation of all energy resources, particularly fossil fuels?

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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According as we increase our renewable portfolio, we are not only doing the work we need to do in terms of replacing fossil fuels, but renewable energy is indigenous and does not require us to import any fuel in order to generate, for example, electricity. At the same time as replacing fossil fuels, and replacing dirtier fuels and fuel inputs, we are also reducing our dependence on imports. I can let the Deputy have some information on that. I gave some numbers to the House earlier in respect of 2014. This process will continue. The period to 2020 will be challenging but we were ahead in the energy area and I believe we can meet the 40% target in respect of electricity by 2020. It will be more difficult in the area of heat and more difficult again in the area of transport. I have responsibility for the energy sector but there will be challenges also in the agriculture sector and across the board.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister satisfied with our the ability to be able to identify and quantify precisely the distinct role that hydropower, wind energy and the other renewables will play in energy production in the future, having regard to the need to have a reliable and unquestionable source of energy?

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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There is a discussion on these matters in the White Paper, which is due for publication tomorrow. It contains a discussion of the contribution that can be made by the different renewable sources. We have hydropower here but we do not have huge potential for its development in terms of large-scale projects. Onshore wind energy has proven to be very cost-effectvie but it is the not, and cannot be, the full story. Solar energy will have a big part to play, it is becoming cheaper all the time, and there are some very interesting and exciting developments in the area of storage which will make it easier progressively for us to expand our renewable energy portfolio. Biomass will certainly have a role to play, more likely in the heat sector than in the electricity generating sector. Offshore wind will have a role to play in the future; it is more expensive and is very much at the early stages of development. Many of these technologies need to mature and when they do I think they will come on board. Wave and tidal energies are also at early research phases. We will have a good discussion on this in the White Paper. We need to have a plan and we have a plan. We also need to decarbonise our economy and renewable energy is a huge part of that.