Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on reports from the UK that British Government officials are claiming that under current policies Britain would miss the EU's 2020 target of 20% energy from renewables by a long way; if there are lessons to be learned here; if so, the lessons to be learned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28956/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of requirements he believes can be met from renewable sources by 2010. [29008/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 55 together.

The accelerated growth of renewable energy sources for electricity heat and transport is a priority for the Government in line with the overall ambition of 20% across Europe set by all the Heads of Government at the Spring European Council. We have set ambitious targets nationally for renewable energy to be delivered progressively by 2020. We have increased our EU target for renewable energy sourced electricity from 13.2% to a national target of 15% by 2010. We have set the target at 33% of gross electricity consumption from renewable energy sources by 2020.

In Biofuels for transport, we have committed to a target of 5.75% by 2010, in keeping with the EU Biofuels Directive and to a further target of 10% by 2020 in line with current EU proposals. These targets will be delivered through a Biofuels Obligation, which will be introduced in 2009. In the heat sector, targets of 5% and 12% market penetration by 2010 and 2020 respectively have been set and are supported through the successful Greener Homes, ReHeat and combined heat and power (CHP) grant programmes.

Ireland has probably the best renewable energy potential in Europe. We intend to realise that potential to the full. We will continue to put in place the necessary measures to incentivise the development and deployment of renewable sources of energy as well as addressing technical and other constraints. In that context we will shortly publish the All-island Grid Study, which is ground breaking research in international terms and which will underpin and inform delivery on our national renewable energy targets.

I am aware that the UK and several other Member States have informally expressed some concerns about the feasibility and costs of delivering on the 20% target for the EU. I am however, in full agreement with Commissioner Piebalgs that Europe must set and take all necessary steps to deliver, high targets for renewable energy.