Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

255. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Ireland is on course to meet its 2020 renewable energy targets in respect of biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38552/15]

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

The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland aims to meet this target mainly through the use of sustainable biofuels with electric vehicles also making a contribution.

The Biofuels Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means through which Ireland would meet the transport target and is the principal support for the uptake of biofuels in Ireland. The scheme has resulted in increases in the amount of biofuels in Ireland since its introduction. In 2014, almost 167 million litres of biofuel was placed on the road transport fuel market, which is an increase of over 16 million litres from the previous year. This represented 5.2 percentage points of the 10% target required by 2020.

It is estimated that in order to achieve the binding target for Ireland of 10%, a biofuel obligation rate of 12% by volume may be needed by 2020. Therefore, the obligation rate must be increased progressively on a managed and phased basis over the coming years. Last month, I launched a consultation seeking views on an increase to the biofuel obligation rate from 2016. The consultation closed last Friday and my Department is considering the responses received.