Renewable Policy

The following are some relevant EU and national policy documents that may be of interest:

• The European Commission 2006 EU Green Paper on a European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy. This paper proposes that Europe’s energy policy should have three main objectives: sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply.

• The European Commission 1997 paper, Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy - White Paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan, which set an EU target of increasing the share of renewable energy to 12% of total energy consulmption by 2010.

• The Irish Governement 1996 paper, "Renewable Energy - A Strategy for the Future" which, amongst other things, set wind connection targets of 30MW per year between 2000 and 2010.

• The Irish Governement Paper - 1997 - Sustainable Development, A Strategy for Ireland published by the Government reaffirmed these targets.

• The 1999 Government Green Paper on Sustainable Energy which set at target for installed renewable electricity generating capacity for 500MW in the period 2000 - 2005

• The consultation document "Options for Future Renewable Energy Policy, Targets and Programmes" - published in December 2003.

Renewables in an All-Island Market

The CER is working closely with its counterpart in Northern Ireland to develop an all island energy market.  The regulators are working within a framework agreement signed by Ministers in the north and the south in 2004.  More information is available about this on our All Island Project website.

As part of the drive towards an all island market, the Ministers have agreed to co-ordinate the approach to renewable energy in both parts of the island and have published a consultation document All Ilsand Energy Market: Renewable Electricity - A 2020 Vision.  For more information see the DCMNR website.