Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 334: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on Ireland's poor performance in terms of renewable energy in the Environment Performance Index 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6507/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Environment Performance Index 2006, prepared by the Center for International Earth Science Information and Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy notes that the contribution of renewable energy to Ireland's energy mix in Ireland in the period 1994 to 2003 in Ireland is of the order of 1.9%.

This is consistent with national statistics and reflects our heavy reliance on peat as an indigenous energy resource and imported gas and oil. The data do not, however, demonstrate the actual growth rate of 54% in the output from renewable energy technology in the period 1990 to 2003 which kept pace with overall growth in the total primary energy requirement.

This meant that renewable growth outpaced the growth in primary energy consumption. The renewable energy share of gross electricity consumption was 5%, increasing from 4% the year before, and is on target to meet the target set in the renewables directive of 13% by 2010.