Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has set a target for the percentage of electricity generation here that will come from renewables by the year 2020. [14794/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government's target as set out in the Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government is to increase the contribution from renewable energy sources to electricity by 33% by 2020. This national target is fully reflected in the legally binding target for Ireland proposed by the EU Commission in the Renewable Energy/Climate Change Package. I have stated previously that 33% should be our minimum level of ambition for 2020 in light also of the assessment in the All-Island Grid Study that a target of 42% renewables on the system is technically feasible for the island of Ireland. Our ambition is to achieve such a higher target given that the same study indicated that this could be done without significant additional costs to the market. There are many challenges inherent in reaching these targets, which I am working with colleagues and stakeholders to address. In addressing those challenges I believe that we will position the renewables sector to deliver an even higher share of electricity after 2020.