Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the various forms of alternative electricity production have been utilised as a means of achieving major reduction in energy imports with particular reference to oil and gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31008/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) advise that renewable/alternative energy electricity generation contributed 17.6% of the gross final consumption of electricity in 2011. 17.6% of gross final consumption represents over 5,000 GWh of electricity in the Irish market in 2011. The latest analysis from the SEAI shows that these alternative energy sources replaced over 12,000 GWh of electricity which otherwise would have been generated by conventional fuel. This resulted in 21% less overall natural gas imports in 2011 (or 28% less gas for electricity generation) and 0.3% less oil imports than would have been required if renewable energy sources were not deployed. This would equate to approximately €300 million each year in avoided imports of fossil fuels.