Written answers
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Energy Usage
Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
99. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of electricity consumed in Ireland that was generated from renewable sources since 2007; if he will provide a breakdown of these sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5731/14]
Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
100. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the highest percentage use of renewable energy sources on any given day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5732/14]
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of 16% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources of generation by 2020. Figures for 2012 show that 19.6% of electricity demand was met by renewable generation in 2012. The table below gives the normalised percentage of gross final electricity consumption that was generated by renewable source.
To date wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. In 2013 15.3% of electricity demand was met by wind generation. At the end of 2013 the total amount of renewable electricity generation connected to the grid was 2,300 MW. It is estimated that a total of between 3,500 MW and 4,000 MW will be required to allow Ireland meet its 40% renewable electricity target. Currently, around 3,000 MW of renewable generation has taken up connection offers under the Gate 3 grid connection programme.
The table below shows the contribution made by each renewable generation technology as a percentage of total electricity demand for each year since 2007:
| Year | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renewables % of Gross Electricity | 9.9% | 11.1% | 13.7% | 14.9% | 17.6% | 19.6% |
| Hydro (normalised) | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2.7% | 2.7% |
| Wind (normalised) | 6.8% | 7.9% | 10.2% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 15.3% |
| Biomass | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0.9% |
| Landfill Gas | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Biogas | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
The highest level of renewable generation exported to the grid to date is 1,866 MW, on 17 December 2013.
No comments