Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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221. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the breakdown in terms of electricity, transport and heat in respect of Ireland's renewable energy target for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10491/14]

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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222. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the infrastructure that is required for Ireland to reach its renewable energy target for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10492/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together.

The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heating and 10% of transport power from renewable sources, with the transport target also being legally binding.

To date onshore wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity and will contribute most towards the achievement of the 2020 target. It is estimated that a total of between 3,500 MW and 4,000 MW of onshore wind generation capacity will be required by 2020. Other technologies such as electricity from biomass, hydroenergy and ocean energy will also contribute to our 40% renewable electricity target. EirGrid, in accordance with its responsibilities as the Transmission System Operator (TSO), has prepared a Transmission Development Plan for the period 2013–2023 outlining the developments which will be required to meet future requirements of the electricity grid as they are known at this time, including the requirement to accommodate renewable generation.

It is expected that most of the 12% renewable heat target will be achieved through the use of biomass technologies. The uptake of the CHP capacity under REFIT 3, launched in early 2012, will make a contribution to achieving this along with migration to renewable heat in response to market forces. The requirements of Part L of the Building regulations are also expected to make a contribution to increasing the uptake of renewable heat. These measures and developments will build on the increases in renewable heat which were achieved by schemes such as the Greener Homes Scheme, the Renewable Heat Deployment Programme (ReHeat) and the CHP Deployment Programme. My Department is also currently finalising a Bioenergy Strategy which will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that energy from biomass can make to achieving Ireland's 2020 renewable energy targets. Analysis underpinning the strategy suggests that additional bioenergy measures can have a significant impact in the heat sector and recommendations will shortly be brought forward in this regard.

The penetration of renewable energy in transport will grow mainly with the increased use of sustainable biofuels which is supported by way of the Biofuel Obligation Scheme. The increased deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) is also expected to make a contribution to achieving the target for the transport sector and supports are currently in place to incentivise the purchase of these vehicles. The ESB, through its ecars programme, is continuing to roll out both publicly accessible charging infrastructure and domestic charge points. My Department understands that the ESB intends to have in place this year at least 1,000 publicly accessible charge points in all main towns and cities, as well as 60 fast chargers on major roads.