Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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205. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the full extent of the requirement of electricity generating capacity from non-fossil fuel sources in the future; the extent to which this will facilitate compliance with EU or other guidelines and-or agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47665/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some time to come, progress is being made towards increasing the share of renewable energy in our generation portfolio. 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 from renewable sources. Figures for 2013 show that 20.9% of electricity demand was met from renewables.To date wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target. In 2013, 16.5% of electricity demand was met by wind generation. At the end of 2013, the total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid was in excess of 2,200 MW. It is estimated that a total of between 3,500 and 4,000 MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity target.

The October European Council endorsed a binding EU target of at least 40% domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. In addition, an EU target of at least 27% is set for the share of renewable energy consumed in the EU in 2030, and an indicative target at the EU level of at least 27% is set for improving energy efficiency in 2030 compared to projections of future energy consumption.

Ireland intends to make a cost-effective, achievable and fair (in terms of effort sharing among Member States), contribution to these high level EU goals. My Department is overseeing detailed and rigorous energy system and economic modelling to identify the contribution which is appropriate for Ireland taking account of our specific economic circumstances. This analysis will address issues such as the quantum of additional renewable electricity we should seek to achieve by 2030, the technologies that should be supported in this regard, and the level at which any future supports should be set.

A Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework is under development to ensure that Ireland meets its future needs for renewable electricity in a sustainable manner, compatible with environmental and cultural heritage, landscape and amenity considerations. The second stage of public consultation on the Framework is to begin shortly.