Renewable energy consumed in Ireland increased from 407 ktoe (17 PJ) in 2005 to 738.9 ktoe (30.9 PJ) in 2011 and 786.1 ktoe (32.9 PJ) in 2012. The renewable energy consumption in Ireland is expected to further increase to 2306 ktoe (96.5 PJ) until 2020 (Figure 7-1).
Figure 7-1. RES total in Ireland in 2012 and the expected growth to 2020 target
Renewable energy consumed in transport sector made the most significant progress from year 2005. It experienced a very fast increase
up to 2011 with 697% per annum in average (+95.4 ktoe) but it decreased in 2012 by 12.3% (-12 ktoe). The use of renewable energy in this sector didn't meet the NREAP planned levels in both years: 42.2% (-71.3 ktoe) under in 2011 and 57.6% (-116.2 ktoe) in 2012.
The development of renewable energy in electricity sector had the highest absolute increase during 2005-12 period by 256.5 ktoe (+17.3% per annum in average). Nevertheless this development was not enough to meet the NREAP planned consumptions in both years having the highest absolute negative deviations among sectors: 30.3% (-184 ktoe) under in 2011 and 26% (-165.4 ktoe) under in 2012.
The development of renewable energy in heating/cooling sector was faster in period 2011- 12 (+6.4%) compared with the development during 2005-12 period (2.9% per annum in average). Even this sector didn't develop faster enough to exceed the NREAP planned values in both 2011 and 2012: respectively 13.8% (-35 ktoe) and 25.4% (-79 ktoe) under the plans.
Up to 2020 the fastest development is expected to be seen in transport sector with an average growth rate of 63.2% (+433.2 ktoe). The development in heating/cooling and electricity sectors is excpected to be developed with an average growth rate of nearly 19.4% each.
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
ktoe 2012
pp.| 78 Figure 7-2. RES deployment in Ireland: projected
growth and actual progress until 2020.
Figure 7-3. Deviation from NREAP in the RES consumption in Ireland in 2012.
7.2 Sources of renewable energy
Wind was the main renewable energy source in Ireland in 2012 with a 46.5% contribution in renewable energy consumed, followed by biomass with 30.8%, biofuels with 10.8%, hydropower with 8.3%, heat pumps with 2.3% and solar with 1.3%.
Biofuels used in transport sector in Ireland had the fastest development between 2005 and 2012 with 935.3% per annum in average (+83.8 ktoe) over the very low level of 1.3 ktoe in baseline year. Despite of this increase biofuels use during 2011-12 period didn't reach the expected NREAP levels being under with 42.2% (-70.8 ktoe) and 57.7% (-115.8 ktoe).
Biomass in electricity and heating/cooling sectors reached 241.8 ktoe (3.6 PJ) in 2012 developing with an average growth rate of 3.6% over 2005 level. Nevertheless this source missed both 2011 and 2012 NREAP plans respectively with 13.7% (-35.1 ktoe) and 23% (- 72.4 ktoe).
Figure 7-4. Contribution of renewable energy sources in Ireland: actual and projected in 2020
Figure 7-5. Deviation from NREAP in the contribution of renewable sources in Ireland in 2012
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 2005 2011p 2011a 2012p 2012a 2015 2020 M to e
RES T RES E RES H/C
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 %
RES H/C RES E RES T RES total
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 H ydr o G eo the rm al So lar M ar in e W ind H eat p um ps B io m as s B io fue ls M to e 2005 2011 2012 2020 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 %
Hydropower Geothermal Solar Marine Wind Heat pumps Biomass Biofuels
pp.| 79
Solar source reached 8.14 ktoe (0.3 PJ) in 2011 increasing further in 2012 with 25.9% (+2.1 ktoe). Comparing with expected NREAP plans this source surpassed both 2011 and 2012 levels: 62.8% (+3.14 ktoe) more in 2011 and 46.3% (+3.24 ktoe) more in 2012.
In 2020 wind will still remain the main source of renewable energy in Ireland even that the share in RES mix will decrease slightly to 45.4%. Biofuels use in Ireland is expected to double their share in RES mix in 2020 while the biomass contribution will decrease up to 25.2%. The contributions of hydropower and solar are expected also to decrease in 2020 respectively to 2.7% and 0.9%.
7.3 Renewable energy share
Renewable energy share in Gross Final Energy Consumption in Ireland reached 6.5% in 2011 and 7.1% in 2012. Nevertheless the development of renewable energy in Ireland during 2011-12 period was not enough to meet the expected NREAP shares for these years. Ireland missed by 0.2% points the expected overall RES share in 2011 and by 0.5% points in 2012. In 2020 the target that Ireland has to reach for the overall RES share is 16%.
Figure 7-4. Overall RES share in Ireland, 2011-12
Renewable electricity share in Ireland increased with 12.7% points between 2005 and 2012. Nevertheless it missed the expected NREAP shares in both years: 7% points under in 2011 and 5.7% points under in 2012. Ireland has set an ambiguous 2020 target for the RES share in this sector, 42.5% of Gross Final Electricity Consumption. The growth by 22.7% points of RES share in this sector is expected to happen up to 2020.
Even the development of renewables in heating/cooling sector was not enough to meet the NREAP planned share in both years. Renewable energy share in this sector increased with only 1.7% points during period 2005-2012. In 2011 renewable energy share in this sector was 0.2% points under the NREAP planned share while in 2012 this negative deviation was 0.9% points.
2011 2012 2020
0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% 11% 12% 13% 14% 15% 16%
2011/2012 interim target set by Directive 2012 NREAP
2013/2014 interim target set by Directive
The overall RES share in Ireland in 2011-2012 was higher than the indicative trajectories for both 2011/2012 and 2013/2014 but the quite higher NREAP values were missed. Although RES share remains well above the minimum trajectories, Ireland in 2011-12 seems needing a faster renewable energy development in order to achieve the 2020 overall RES share target.
pp.| 80
Added capacity in wind power in Ireland accounted for 86.3% of its total additional renewable capacity during period 2011-12.
The share of renewable energy in transport sector experienced a significant increase between 2005 and 2012 exceeding the NREAP planned share by 3.0% points in 2011 and by 3.0% points in year 2012. An increase of 2.3% points is expected in the RES share of this sector up to 2020.
7.4 Renewable electricity
7.4.1 Installed capacity Renewable energy installed capacity in Ireland increased from 748 MW in 2005 to 1907 MW in 2011 and 2060 MW in 2012. Nevertheless these capacities were found to be under the respective NREAP planned capacities for 2011 (-27.8%) and 2012 (-23.4%). In 2020 renewable energy capacity is expected to reach 5111 MW.
Wind technology was the main source of renewable energy in Ireland contribution in 2012 with more than 86% in the total renewable electricity capacity. Hydropower followed with 11% in contribution while biomass with only 3%.
The main progress from year 2005 was made in wind technology with an increase in capacity by +1269 MW in 2012. Nevertheless this development was not enough to exceed the NREAP capacities planned for 2001 and 2012: 29.8% (-694 MW) less in 2011 and 25.6% (-607 MW) less in 2012.
Figure 7-7. RES capacity deployment and progress until 2020 in Ireland.
Figure 7-8. Deviation from NREAP in the RES installed capacity in Ireland in 2012.
Biomass installed capacity developed fast during 2011-12 period by 53.8% being nevertheless under the expected capacities in both years: 51.9% (-41 MW) less in 2011 and 28.6% (-24 MW) less in 2012.
Ireland has planned no changed in hydropower capacity up to 2020. Nevertheless a slightly increase (+1.3%) happened since in 2010 over the 2005 level (234 MW). Hydropower capacity remained unchanged during period 2011-12 at 237 MW exceeding so the NREAP plans in both years.
0 1 2 3 4 5
Hydro Geothermal Solar Marine Wind Biomass
GW 2005 2011 2012 2020 -35.0 -30.0 -25.0 -20.0 -15.0 -10.0 -5.0 0.0 5.0 %
pp.| 81
While no contributions were planned in solar technology Ireland reported since in 2009 a capacity of 0.61 MW. A slightly increase happened since then reaching in 2012 the capacity of 0.73 MW.
In 2020 wind power is expected to remain the main contribution in renewable installed capacities covering more than 90% of it. Contributions of hydropower, biomass and marine technologies are expected to be limited respectively at 5%, 3% and 1%.
7.4.2 Consumption Ireland doubled its renewable electricity consumption during period 2005-2011, reaching 4921 GWh (17.7 PJ). A further increase of 10.7% (+526 GWh) happened during period 2011- 12. Despite of this development renewable electricity consumption in Ireland missed the NREAP plans in both 2011 and 2012: 30.3% (-2139 GWh) less in 2011 and 26.1% (-1923 GWh) less in 2012. In 2020 the renewable electricity consumption in Ireland is expected to amount to 13907 GWh (50.1 PJ).
In 2012 wind provided 78% of total renewable electricity followed by hydropower with 13.9% and biomass with 8.1%.
Biomass had the fastest development between 2005 and 2012 increasing with an average growth rate of 40% (+325 GWh) over the level of 116 GWh (0.4 PJ) in the baseline year. Despite this development biomass produced 13.7% (-54 GWh) less in 2011 and 7.9% (-38 GWh) less in 2012 compared with expected NREAP consumptions for these years.
Figure 7-9. Relative increase/decrease of RES electricity sources in Ireland, 2011-12
Figure 7-10. Deviation from NREAP in the RES electricity consumption in Ireland in 2012.
Renewable electricity from wind developed with 24% per annum in average (+2659 GWh) during period 2005-2012 reaching 4247 GWh (15.3 PJ). Nevertheless wind was found to be 35.8% (-2134 GWh) under in 2011 and 31.4% (-1943 GWh) under in 2012 comparing with expected NREAP plans.
While a decrease with 0.1% (-1 GWh) in renewable electricity from hydropower took place between 2005 and 2012 Ireland consumed more than planned in both 2011 and 2012: 7% (+49 GWh) more in 2011 and 8.3% (+58 GWh) more in 2012.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 %
Hydro Geothermal Solar Marine Wind Biomass -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 %
pp.| 82
While no renewable electricity consumption was planned to come from solar it grew to 0.5 GWh in 2011 remeing then unchanged till 2012.
In 2020 wind is expected to increase its share to 86.1% while biomass and hydropower will decrease their shares respectively to 7.2% and 5%. A contribution with 1.7% is expected by marine source.
7.5 Renewable energy in heating & cooling
The use of renewable energy in heating/cooling sector developed with an average growth rate of 2.8% (+39 ktoe) during period 2005-2012 over the level of 193 ktoe (8.1 PJ) in the baseline year. Nevertheless renewable energy consumed in this sector was under the NREAP planned use with 13.6% (-34 ktoe) in 2011 and 25.4% (-79 ktoe) in 2012. The renewable heat consumption in Ireland is expected to reach 590 ktoe (24.7 PJ) in 2020.
In 2012 biomass share in total renewable heat consumption was 87.9% and the rest heat pumps 7.9% and solar 4.4%.
Figure 7-11. Relative increase/decrease of RES heating/cooling sources in Ireland, 2011-12.
Figure 7-12. Deviation from NREAP in the RES heat consumption in Ireland in 2012.
Heat pumps had the highest relative increase between 2005 and 2012 with ana average growth rate of 11.4% (+8 ktoe) over the level of 10 ktoe (0.4 PJ) in 2005. Nevertheless heat consumptions were found under the expected NREAP consumptions in both 2011 and 2012: 28% (-7 ktoe) under in 2011 and 41.9% (-13 ktoe) under in 2012.
Biomass used for heat developed with an average growth rate of 1.6% (+21 ktoe) in 2012 over the level of 183 ktoe (7.7 PJ) in the baseline year. This development was slower than the NREAP projected one missing both 2011 and 2012 expected consumptions: 13.7% (-3.7 ktoe) less in 2011 and 25.3% (-69 ktoe) less in 2012.
Solar thermal reached 10.2 ktoe (0.43 PJ) in 2012 increasing with 25.9% (+2.1 ktoe) over 2011 level. Only heat coming from solar thermal was more than planned during period 2011-12: 62% (+3.1 ktoe) more in 2011 and 45.7% (+3 ktoe) more in 2012.
In 2020 the share of biomass in total heat expected to be consumed will reach 82.4% followed by heat pumps with 14.2% and solar with 3.4%.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 %
Geothermal Solar Biomass Heat pumps
-25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 %
pp.| 83
Additional use of biofuels in Ireland accounted for 22% of its additional renewable energy consumption during period 2005-2012.
7.6 Renewable energy in transport
The use of renewable energy in transport reached 97.7 ktoe (4.1PJ) in 2011 decreasing then with 12.3% (-12 ktoe) in 2012. Renewable energy consumed in this sector missed the NREAP planned levels in both years: 42.2% (-71.3 ktoe) less in 2011 and 57.6% (-116 ktoe) less in 2012. In 2020 renewable energy consumed in transport sector is expected to reach 518.9 ktoe (21.7 PJ).
In 2012 biodiesel covered 65.4% of total renewable energy consumed in transport sector followed by bioethanol/bio-ETBE with 33.9%, renewable electricity with 0.7% and other bipofuels with 0.1%.
The highest relative increase happened in bioethanol use in this sector, from 0.01 ktoe in 2005 to 29 ktoe (1.2 PJ) in 2012 (+41414% per annum in average). Nevertheless bioethanol use in transport sector didn't meet the NREAP planned levels in both 2011 and 2012: 42% (- 21 ktoe) under in 2011 and 51.7% (-31 ktoe) under in 2012.
Biodiesel had the main absolute increase during 2005-2012, by 55 ktoe even that a decrease by 17.6% (-12 ktoe) happened during 2011-12 period. In comparison with NREAP planned values the use of biodiesel in Ireland was under by 41.9% (-49 ktoe) in 2011 and 60% (-84 ktoe) in 2012.
Figure 7-13. Relative increase/decrease of RES transport uses in Ireland, 2011-12.
Figure 7-14. Deviation from NREAP in the RES use in transport in Ireland in 2012.
The use of other biofuels was under the expectations in both years: 86.7% under in 2011 and 91.1% under in 2012. Imported biofuels
increased more than expected during 2005- 2011 period being 92% over the plan but then their use decreased by 12.7% in 2011-12 period missing the NREAP plan by 11.4% (-8 ktoe). No change happened in the use of renewable
electricity in transport during period 2005-201 meeting the NREAP plans of 1 ktoe in both 2011 and 2012.
The role of biofuels from wastes, residues, ligno-cellulosic material was expected to be very marginal in Ireland. In contrary their use increased very fast by 2416% per annum in average reaching 85.1 ktoe in 2012 over 0.5 ktoe in 2005. Due to this fast development they had the -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 %
Bioethanol Biodiesel Electricity Other Art.21.2 Import -200 0 200 400 600 800 1000 %
pp.| 84
highest deviation over the NREAP expected level in both years: 10691% (+96.2 ktoe) over in 2011 and 9353% (+84 ktoe) in 2012.
Imported biofuels reached 71 ktoe (3 PJ) in 2011 decreasing then with 12.7% (-9 ktoe) in 2012. This development was enough to exceed only the 2011 NREAP level with 91.9% (+34 ktoe) being then under the 2012 expected use with 11.4% (-8 ktoe).
In 2020 biodiesel and other biofuels are expected to keep almost the same share as in 2012 (65.9% and 0.2%) while renewable electricity is expected to 10 fold its share reached 7.1%. The share of bioethanol is expected to decrease to 26.8%.
pp.| 85
Renewable energy consumption in Greece was found to be lower than expectations in both 2011 and 2012 respectively by 12.5% (-302 ktoe) and 11% (-292 ktoe).