Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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593. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the Pathways to Power report January 2015 compiled by the WWF and international marine consultants DNV GL on a fully renewable energy system in Scotland by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4384/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers regarding renewable energy in Scotland. Ireland also has ambitious renewable energy targets. Our 2020 target is to have 16% of our energy from renewable sources through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 10% of our transport and 12% of our heat from renewable sources. In 2013, 7.8% of Ireland’s overall energy requirement was met by renewable energy, made up of 20.9% of electricity demand, 5.7% of heat demand and 2.8% of transport demand. The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure, sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers.

To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. The total amount of wind generation connected to the grid is approximately 2,200MW. It is estimated that a total of between 3,500MW and 4,000MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity target.

With regard to 2030, 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 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.

Furthermore, my Department participates fully in the whole of Government approach to addressing the challenges of climate change and the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the year 2050.