Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which electricity is now generated from non-fossil fuels; the degree to which EirGrid can now rely on such production; the extent to which importation of coal, gas, or oil has been reduced as a consequence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35869/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Sustainable Energy Ireland figures indicate that 320 kilo tonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe), of renewable energy was used in the generation of electricity during 2008 (from hydro, wind and biomass). The renewable inputs to electricity generation avoided, in primary energy equivalent terms, 669 ktoe of primary energy requirements. As coal is used as baseload, the renewables used in electricity generation are more likely to have avoided the use of oil and/or gas. The avoided primary energy in 2008 represented approximately 21% of the oil and gas used in electricity generation in 2008.

From recently published EirGrid figures, there is currently 1433 MW of renewable (wind, hydro, biomass) sources and 6120.9 MW of non renewable generation connected to Irish national grid. The amount of renewable-powered plant connected and accessing the electricity grid is increasing steadily from year to year. It is estimated the available plants will contribute 12.2% of all electricity consumed in 2009, compared to 4.4% in 2003.