Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

795. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of gigawatts of energy that come from renewable energy sources here; and if he will provide a breakdown of the number of gigawatts generated per renewable energy sector, that is, solar hydro, wind and so on. [37562/13]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

796. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of gigawatts of renewable energy which need to be generated in order for Ireland to meet its targets under the Europe 2020 strategy. [37563/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 795 and 796 together.

The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a binding target whereby 16% of our energy requirements should come from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet our overall 16% requirement, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources.

In 2012, 5,254.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity was produced from renewable sources. The breakdown by sector is as follows:

Technology Amount (GWh)

Hydropower 802.0

Windpower 4,010.0

Landfill gas 175.0

Wood 180.0

Biogas 24.0

Renewable waste and other 63.0

Solar (PV) 0.50

It is estimated that to deliver on our 40% target, a total of between 3,500 and 4,000 MW of renewable generation capacity will be required. It is anticipated that onshore wind will provide the bulk of this capacity.