Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he anticipates Ireland to generate electricity by alternative means in the next five years; the methods of generation most favoured; the extent to which he expects the use of fossil fuels for such purposes to be reduced in the next five years; the European country he expects to emulate in this regard in terms of total electricity generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10698/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government's targets for electricity generated from alternative and renewable energy sources in Ireland are 15% of electricity consumed in 2010 and 33% in 2020. The dominant technology providing the required new capacity will be wind powered both onshore and offshore with additional capacity provided by biomass, small hydro and wave and tidal projects. We are also committed to accelerating delivery on the potential for ocean energy in an ambitious timeframe.

Our targets and underpinning programmes reflect the specific challenges and opportunities for Ireland in energy terms which are different in many key respects to other EU Member States; where we can adapt and learn from other European experiences we are doing so. Sustainable Energy Ireland estimates a displacement of approximately 13,500 GWh of fossil energy in 2012 based on a prediction of 6,500 GWh of renewable energy sourced electricity generating at that time.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason, in view of the publication of the All Ireland Grid Study, he has not set a target of 42% of electricity to be obtained by renewable sources by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10587/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The All-Island Grid Study concluded that it is feasible to generate 42% of electricity on the island of Ireland from renewable energy sources by 2020. The study shows that we have the potential to do more than reach the Government target of 33% renewables which should be considered as the base rather than the limit of our ambitions. Achieving existing targets and aiming higher again is our central objective therefore. This is a complex challenge requiring major investment in our electricity transmission network and very significant investment from the renewables sector itself.

I have announced a range of initiatives since publication of the Grid Study to further support and underpin delivery of our renewable energy targets. We are putting in place the necessary strategies to deliver on our national and EU targets as well as crucially looking beyond those in terms of ambition. We will also be continuing to work closely with Northern colleagues as we both work to fulfil renewable energy ambitions for our respective systems.