Minister for Communications, Energy and National Resources Pat Rabbitte, TD (left), and Fintan Slye, CEO, EirGrid
Ireland is progressing towards its target of 40pc renewable electricity by 2020, a new report by electric power transmission operator EirGrid claims. In 2012, renewables met 17pc of the island’s electricity demand.
This comprised 18pc in the Republic of Ireland and 13pc in Northern Ireland.
During 2013, some 116MW of renewable power sources (mostly wind) connected in Ireland and 74MW in Northern Ireland.
At the end of September 2013, the total renewable generation installed on the island of Ireland was 2,771MW.
EirGrid estimates that meeting the 40pc renewable electricity targets in Ireland will reduce the CO2 intensity of emissions in the power sector from 489 g/kWh in 2011 to about 300 g/kWh in 2020, representing a drop of by 38pc.
“Ireland and Northern Ireland have set ambitious renewable electricity targets for 2020,” said Fintan Slye, EirGrid CEO.
“There has been solid progress towards developing strong renewable electricity-generation capabilities in the last few years.
“It is important that we build on this momentum as we strive to meet our target of 40pc renewable electricity generation by 2020.
“Achieving these targets and the resulting benefits will require a significant expansion and upgrade of the transmission network across the island of Ireland,” Slye added.
