Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 337: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which electricity supplied to the national grid is now generated from non-fossil fuels; the extent to which reliance on traditional energy generation is likely to change over the next five years in line with EU policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37654/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Directive 2009/28/EC imposes a legally binding target on Ireland for the share of renewable energy in all energy consumed by 2020. Ireland's target is for 16% of all energy to be from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland has set targets of 40% electricity, 12% heating/cooling and 10% transport fuel to be from renewables by 2020. The combined effect of these sectoral targets is commensurate with the achievement of the overall 16% of all energy target.

Currently about 15% of electricity is generated from renewable energy sources, primarily wind. Ireland's National Renewable Energy Action Plan, which was submitted to the European Commission last year and which is published on the Departments website, sets out the plans for achieving Ireland's renewable energy targets by 2020.

The Gate 3 grid connection process was designed by CER, the energy regulator, to ensure that the 40% target could be reached. EirGrid estimates that 4750MW of renewable generation will be required on the system to deliver the 2020 renewable electricity target. Currently we have 1850MW of renewable generation on the grid, another 1100MW with signed grid connection agreements and around 4,000MW of capacity in the Gate 3 process. EirGrid's Grid 25 strategy and implementation plans are designed to deliver the necessary grid developments and grid reinforcements to underpin the new renewable generating capacity, as well as regional economic development.