Written answers

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Wind Energy Generation

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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599. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will indicate how European Union policy is impacting on Ireland's offshore wind farm developments; if he is committed to the development of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40560/15]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The development of Ireland's abundant offshore renewable energy resource will be an increasingly important element of Ireland's future energy policies. Offshore renewable energy has the potential to generate carbon free renewable electricity, reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhance our security of energy supply, and deliver green growth and jobs to the economy.

The 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of Ireland’s abundant offshore resource. It identifies policy actions and enablers that are key to the development of the sector.

In the context of EU policy, 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, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport.

Ireland has made good progress in this regard, and to date, onshore wind energy, as the most cost effective technology available to Ireland, has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. It is recognised, however, that this must be complimented by other technologies to meet our renewable energy ambitions. In addition to our onshore wind resource, bioenergy, solar, offshore wind and other technologies may play a critical role in diversifying our renewable generation portfolio over the period to 2030, and a recent public consultation on a new support scheme for renewable electricity sought views to inform a decision on the technologies to be supported.

The Deputy may also wish to note that the Ocean Energy Forum, established by the European Commission, is developing a Strategic Roadmap with a view to enabling the commercialisation of ocean energy in Europe. Ireland is fully engaged in this process and the most recent High Level meeting of this Forum, which I attended, was held in Dublin last month.

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