Irish Regions Office Website

January 25, 2010

Irish 2020 renewables target on track

In common with most EU Member States, Ireland has delivered a positive preliminary verdict in relation to its assessment of its ability to meet its commitments on the production of renewable energies. This relates to the national targets set out in the renewable energy directive for at least a 20% share of the EU's overall energy mix to be derived from green sources by 2020.

Under the directive, Ireland is committed to a 16% domestic renewables target by the due date. The current state-of-play is estimated at a 7% share according to a national forecast document, submitted to the European Commission in mid-January but this reflects good progress since 2005 and Sustainable Energy Ireland analysis indicates that the 2020 goal remains on course. This estimation is in part based on the effects of some measures from the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan. It is intended that in a decade's time, renewables will account for 44% of national electricity production (currently 21%), 12% of heating and cooling (currently 5%), and 11% of transport fuels. (currently 3%).

Some Member States including Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Spain have announced that they expect to exceed their goals and would consider trading credits in excess of intermediary targets to underperforming countries if necessary. Indeed, a key aspect flagged up in the Irish document is that of the need for further development of energy interconnections, including possible joint projects, to harness the export potential of offshore wind and ocean power. Detailed National Renewable Energy Action Plans setting out each Member State's set of measures to achieve the targets are set to follow over the coming 6 months.

Ireland's Forecast document

Posted by iroronan at January 25, 2010 09:55 AM