Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the contribution for renewable energy resources including hydro power at less than 9% of gross electricity consumption in 2006 indicates very modest progress over the past ten years in the development of new renewable energy resources; the main reasons for such limited progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22760/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The development of renewable energy in the electricity sector represents significant challenges for the Government, the energy sector, investors and EirGrid and ESB Networks. I am giving priority to addressing the barriers and realising the opportunities in order to deliver on our ambitious targets.

Significant progress is being made. The installed capacity of renewable energy has more than doubled in the last three years. In 2004 electricity generated from wind exceeded that from hydro for the first time. Wind is now the dominant renewable energy technology.

The current Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) support programme will complete or surpass a target to increase the contribution of renewable powered electricity to 15% of consumption by 2010. It is estimated this will require installed capacity in the region of 1,650 megawatts (MWs). There are in excess of 1,000 MWs built and approximately 600 MWs already accepted into REFIT with planning permission and connections offers. When the Gate 2 connection process is completed in the coming months this latter figure is expected to more than double thereby delivering and most likely surpassing the 2010 target.