Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which a greater extent of electricity can be generated from non-fossil means with particular reference to wind and other forms of electricity generation; the full extent of contribution of the national grid from non-fossil fuels at present; the potential over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2566/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Directive 2009/28/EC imposes a legally binding target on Ireland for a 16% share of renewable energy in all energy consumed by 2020. Ireland has set targets of 40% electricity, 12% heating 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% target. In 2011 around 15% of Ireland's electricity was generated by renewable technologies.

The latest modeling undertaken by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicates that capacity of around 4000MW of renewable generation will be required on the system to deliver the 40% renewable electricity target by 2020. EirGrid's latest data, which is available on their website, shows that at the end of 2011, Ireland had 1900MW of renewable generation on the grid. This includes 1630MW of connected wind, 234MW of hydro and 46MW of additional other renewable generation.

In addition to projects already connected, there is around 1000MW from the Gate 1 and Gate 2 rounds which have contracted and are scheduled to be built out and connected over the next few years. Around 4,000MW of additional renewable capacity is provided for 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 to support regional economic development.

EirGrid has also developed a world leading programme to manage the integration of high levels of renewable electricity on the system from a grid operations perspective over the coming years. The programme includes enhancing generation portfolio performance, developing new operational policies and systems, to efficiently use the generation portfolio to the best of its capabilities and regularly reviewing the needs of the system as the portfolio capability evolves.