Consultations
Ireland launched its programme to promote electricity from renewable energy sources in 1996 in "Renewable Energy - A Strategy for the Future". Policy on renewables was reviewed in 1999 with the publication of a Green Paper on Sustainable Energy. In December 2003 a further review of the sector was launched with the publication of the consultation document “Options for Future Renewable Energy Policy, Targets and Programmes”.
The purpose of the review was to stimulate debate in developing future renewable energy policy in Ireland. The review focused on setting new targets for renewables for the period 2005 to 2010 and beyond to 2020 - the target to 2010 to at least meet the target of 13.2% of electricity consumption from renewable energy sources set for Ireland in the EC Directive on the promotion of new and renewable sources in the internal electricity market (2001/77/EC).
Other key issues addressed in the consultation document included policy goals, barriers to renewable energy sourced electricity/heat deployment, market support mechanisms and other requirements under the EC Directive referred to above.
The Department received 46 responses following a call for submissions on the consultation document. Copies of the individual responses can be accessed through the links below.
2020 Vision for Renewable Energy
Responses to Consultation Paper
Following the consultation period, the Sustainable Energy Working Group has prepared a paper based on the submissions received. This document, called Summary of Consultation Responses to “All-island Energy Market: Renewable Electricity – A 2020 Vision”, attempts to bring together the principal themes of those responses. It does not purport to be a comprehensive representation of all submissions and the views expressed are solely those of the respondents
In May 2004 a Renewable Energy Development Group, chaired by this Department, was established. The Group comprises relevant experts from the administrative and scientific sector to advise on future options on policies, targets, programmes and support measures to develop the increased use of renewable energy in the electricity market to 2010 and beyond.
The work of the group has been informed by the renewable energy consultation process and the submissions made in response to our consultation document. Other inputs to the Group came from –
- direct presentations to the group from industry representatives and their associations,
- analysis conducted by subgroups of the group itself,
- the work of the CHP strategy group and
- the Bioenergy strategy group.
Renewable Energy Consultation Process
Renewable Energy Consultation document (19 Dec 2003) 
Renewable Energy - Consultation Annexes (19 Dec 2003)
Synthesis Paper
Responses
RC Submission No 1 
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey T.D. and his Northern Ireland counterpart Angela Smith MP have jointly issued a preliminary consultation paper on an all-island 2020 vision for renewable energy which seeks views on the development of a joint Republic of Ireland / Northern Ireland strategy for the renewable energy aspects of the All-Island Energy Market, leading up to 2020 and beyond.