Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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669. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the targets and timeframes that are being worked to in terms of the proportion of new builds that have a heating generator that uses renewable energy sources as the principal source of heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11552/18]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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670. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the specific article and paragraphs of building regulations that require or otherwise provide an incentive for developers of new build residential and non-residential units to install heating generators that use renewable energy sources as the principal heating source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11553/18]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 670 together.

The Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 to 2017 (which are made under the Building Control Act 1990, as amended) set out the minimum legal requirements applicable to the construction of all new buildings, extensions to existing buildings, as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. These requirements are set out in 12 parts, classified as Parts A to M. The accompanying Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) provide guidance on how owners, builders, developers and designers can achieve compliance in practice.

Part L of the regulations deals with Conservation of Fuel and Energy. Since 2008, Part L has required a reasonable proportion of the energy consumption of a new dwelling to be provided by renewable energy with section 1.2 providing guidance on Renewable Energy Technology.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010/31/EU) sets requirements for Member States to ensure that by 31 December 2020, all new buildings are nearly zero energy buildings, while new buildings owned and occupied by Public Authorities, must achieve this standard by 31^stDecember 2018.

The Directive defines a Nearly Zero Energy Building or NZEB as a building that has a very high energy performance, where the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby. In 2017, this definition was incorporated into the Building Regulations 1997-2017.

In 2017, Part L was also amended to establish the NZEB standard for buildings other than dwellings, thus requiring a proportion of the energy consumption of the building to be provided by renewable energy. This applies to works commencing on or after 1 January 2019 subject to transition arrangements. TGD L - Conservation of Fuel and Energy - Buildings other than dwellings provides guidance on how to meet these requirements.

A further review of Part L is currently underway to establish the NZEB standard for dwellings and draft documents will issue for public consultation shortly.