Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

173. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has for renewables and, in particular, solar renewable energy, in the next 12 months; his views on solar energy on greenfield sites; if any such sites are currently being developed; the proposed policy direction of solar energy production on greenfield sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15977/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for renewable energy exported to the grid. The schemes operate by guaranteeing a minimum price for renewable energy generation over a 15 year period. The technologies supported include onshore wind energy, hydroelectricity, landfill gas, waste-to-energy and biomass technologies, including anaerobic digestion. Solar PV is not one of the qualifying technologies for this scheme. Further information is available on my Department's website, .I am aware of recent reports in the media concerning the development of solar farms. The development of a solar farm requires planning permission from the local planning authority and is therefore a matter between the developer and the relevant planning authority.

The Green Paper on Energy Policy, inter alia, sought feedback on the role that alternative technologies, such as solar, could play in delivering our renewable energy ambitions. Views received will be taken into consideration in the preparation of the White Paper on Energy which will be published in September.

Given the emerging policy context and the requirements of the EU internal market for electricity, my Department will be considering the appropriateness of a new support scheme for renewable electricity, from 2016 onwards. A key component of this will be consideration of the available technologies, their cost effectiveness and the level of support required. The scheme will be subject to State Aid clearance and the initial public consultation on a new scheme will commence in the coming weeks.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

174. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the targets in megawatts for electricity generation for each county, that has been set down to meet our international obligations under various treaties for renewable energy; if he will provide in tabular form, in megawatts, the contracted renewable electricity generating capacity now in production, including capacity that is approved for connection to the electricity grid to meet these targets; and his views on the success in meeting these targets. [15991/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020, to be achieved through 40% renewables in electricity, 12% in heat and 10% in transport. These are national targets and are not disaggregated on a county basis.

The total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid at the start of March this year was 2,600 MW approximately; a further 3,700 MW has been contracted for connection to the grid. Detailed information in relation to the amount of renewable electricity generation capacity connected to the electricity grid, including capacity that is contracted for connection, is available on EirGrid’s and ESB Networks’ websites at and respectively.

Policies and schemes are in place to incentivise the use of renewable energy. The REFIT schemes underpin the development of a range of renewable electricity technologies, including hydro, biomass combustion, biomass combined heat and power, landfill gas and onshore wind. To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. It is estimated that a total of between 3,500 MW and 4,000 MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity target.