Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which it is expected to confidently rely on adequate non-fossil fuel generated electricity in the future with particular reference to the short, medium and long term having due regard for current and projected economic growth and resultant energy requirements; the extent to which a determination has been made as to which family cars will convert to electricity over the next ten to 15 years; the extent to which he expects to rely on alternative and renewable energies with low carbon consequences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47309/14]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix over the long term, 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. At the end of 2013, the total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid was 2,200 MW and the total contribution from renewable generation to gross electricity consumption during the year was 20.9%. 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 achieve 40% renewable electricity.

Looking beyond 2020, EU climate and energy proposals point to the need to expand the renewable generation portfolio. To that end, the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP), published earlier this year, identifies the sustainable economic opportunity for Ireland in the medium to long term of realising the potential of our indigenous offshore wind, wave and tidal energy resources. The Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out for the OREDP found that at least 4,500 MW of offshore wind and 1,500 MW of wave and tidal generation could be sustainably developed in Irish waters.

Ireland's third National Energy Efficiency Action Plan to 2020, which is available my Department’s website, estimates that approximately 50,000 electric vehicles (EVs) could form part of the transport fleet in 2020. However, the extent to which electric vehicles are adopted in the short-to-medium term will depend on a range of factors including,inter alia, the strength of the economy, the overall numbers of new cars being purchased, the cost of purchasing and running electric vehicles compared to fossil fuel comparators, and the number of different electric vehicle models available to purchase. There are signs that these factors are improving and in 2014, thus far, there has been an increase in electric vehicle purchases through the grant scheme compared with previous years.

Furthermore, in terms of achieving the levels of ambition for reducing greenhouse gas emissions envisaged for 2030, a range of measures in the transport sector, including additional electrification of the transport fleet and the use of alternative, low-carbon fuels, will likely be required.