Ireland's use of renewable energy increased by 18 per cent in 2004 to outpace the growth of overall energy consumption, according to figures to be released today.
The figures are contained in a new report produced by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). It finds that the renewable energy contribution to energy consumption in Ireland increased from 1.8 per cent in 2003 to 2.2 per cent in 2004, with wind accounting for most of this.
Last year saw a 46 per cent rise in the amount of energy that could be produced by wind farms in the State. Renewable energy's contribution to electricity rose to 5.2 per cent in 2004 from 4.3 per cent in 2003.
SEI chief executive David Taylor said: "Ireland's demand for energy has increased significantly in recent years, resulting in a consequent increase in energy-related CO2 emissions.
"However, it is imperative that the uptake of sustainable energy technologies continues and accelerates to ensure we continue to work towards combating the negative impacts of climate change in Ireland."
The report also highlights that CO 2emissions due to energy use began to rise again in 2004 after two years of falling, and that petrol consumption increased by 2.6 per cent and diesel consumption by 8.1 per cent.
The use of fossil fuels in the home also rose by a total of 4.1 per cent in 2004, the report found.