Useful Facts
You can find some very useful information regarding renewable energy here.
European Renewable Energy Background
The European Union has committed all of its Member States to increase the share of renewable source in total energy consumption by 2020. The renewable directive sets out the following 2020 EU wide commitments:
The Directive outlines three key reasons driving these obligations:
The Polish government’s 2020 target is for 15% of total energy consumption to come from renewable resources. The country currently obtains approx. 3% of its electricity from renewable sources (mainly hydro).
The government is committed to producing 2000MW of wind generated electricity by 2010 which equivalent to approx. 2.5% of electricity consumption. In order to reach an overall target of 15% by 2020, the penetration of wind generated electricity will need to increase significantly.
Ireland
Ireland is heavily reliant on the electricity sector to meet its EU energy and carbon reduction targets. A target of 40% renewable electrical energy production has been set for 2020. Furthermore, the recently completed ‘All Island Grid Study’ shows that a technical capacity of 42% is possible.
Based on current estimates of electricity demand by 2020, to achieve a total of 40% renewable capacity in the electricity generation mix, a total renewable capacity of approx. 6500MW will be required. It is anticipated that wind will be the main renewable contributor given the maturity of the technology and its comparative cost advantage over other renewable sources.
A total of 2,400MW will have been connected to the system in the next few years. The next tranche of wind development (Gate 3) is intended to bring this total to approx. 4,500MW. This leaves an additional 2,000MW of capacity to be connected.
European Renewable Energy Background
The European Union has committed all of its Member States to increase the share of renewable source in total energy consumption by 2020. The renewable directive sets out the following 2020 EU wide commitments:
- Greenhouse gas reduction of 20%;
- 20% of all energy to come from renewable energy resources (individual countries to decide split across electricity/transport/heating&cooling)
- 20% increase in energy efficiency
The Directive outlines three key reasons driving these obligations:
- Environmental sustainability
- Security of supply
- Competition
Poland
The Polish government’s 2020 target is for 15% of total energy consumption to come from renewable resources. The country currently obtains approx. 3% of its electricity from renewable sources (mainly hydro).
The government is committed to producing 2000MW of wind generated electricity by 2010 which equivalent to approx. 2.5% of electricity consumption. In order to reach an overall target of 15% by 2020, the penetration of wind generated electricity will need to increase significantly.
Ireland
Ireland is heavily reliant on the electricity sector to meet its EU energy and carbon reduction targets. A target of 40% renewable electrical energy production has been set for 2020. Furthermore, the recently completed ‘All Island Grid Study’ shows that a technical capacity of 42% is possible.
Based on current estimates of electricity demand by 2020, to achieve a total of 40% renewable capacity in the electricity generation mix, a total renewable capacity of approx. 6500MW will be required. It is anticipated that wind will be the main renewable contributor given the maturity of the technology and its comparative cost advantage over other renewable sources.
A total of 2,400MW will have been connected to the system in the next few years. The next tranche of wind development (Gate 3) is intended to bring this total to approx. 4,500MW. This leaves an additional 2,000MW of capacity to be connected.