Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the generating capacity of the ESB from renewable resources such as wind, water and wave; if he will provide a breakdown of the sites at which this is generated; the generating capacity of each site in megawatts; his plans for the installation of new renewable generating capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13689/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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ESB operates a mixed portfolio of generation using both renewable and fossil fuels to generate power.

ESB’s hydroelectric power stations are Ardnacrusha (86MW), Inishcarra Dam (19MW), Carrigadrohid (8MW), Golden Falls (4MW), Clady (4MW), Poulaphouca, County Wicklow (15MW), Leixlip (4MW), Cliff (20MW), Cathleen’s Falls (45MW), Curramore <1MW and Parteen <1MW.

ESBI’s wind farms are: Carnsore Point (12MW), Derrybrien Wind Farm (59.5MW), Mountain Lodge Wind Farm (31.5MW), Garvagh Glebe (26MW), Tullynahaw, (22MW), Grouselodge (15MW), Crockahenny (currently commissioning) 5MW, Waterfern – Black Banks (10.2MW), Mount Eagle (6.8MW) and Orileven-Carrane Hill (3.4MW). ESB also operates a number of wind farms outside of Ireland.

ESB’s strategy for renewables is to grow from its existing base of 560MW to 1800MW of installed capacity by 2025.

Wave energy is still at the RD&D stage globally. ESBI is involved in RD&D in the ocean energy area. Overall, ESB has set itself the goal of achieving a net carbon neutral portfolio by 2050 at the latest.

More generally as regards promotion of renewable energy REFIT is the current support scheme for renewable generation in Ireland. The previous scheme was known as AER. There were numerous generators involved in AER, but ESB, in its role as Public Electricity Supplier, was the contracting party for all of the AER contracts. With market liberalisation, REFIT was opened to all licensed suppliers. There are over 16 different licensed electricity suppliers and numerous generators involved in the REFIT schemes operated by my Department.

Under Directive 2009/28/EC Ireland has been assigned a legally binding target that 16% of all energy consumption must be from renewable sources by 2020. This includes a minimum of 10% in the transport sector. Overall, the target comprises 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable transport and 12% renewable heating by 2020, which combined amount to 16% of all energy consumption.

The Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012-2020 and the First Progress Report on the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) set out how it is anticipated that renewable generating capacity will be developed in Ireland in the period to 2020. These documents are available on my Department’s website at: . The First Progress Report on the NREAP sets out that it is envisaged that around 4000MW of installed renewable capacity will be required by 2020 in order to achieve 40% renewable electricity. There is approximately 1900MW installed at present.