Labour Senator John Kelly has said that the eagerly awaited renewable energy target proposals post-2020 by the European Commission are, by all accounts, going to be hugely significant for this country.

The proposals are expected to see the Commission significantly scaling back on its mandatory energy targets post-2020.

Mr Kelly said: "This represents a golden window of opportunity for the Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte to row back on EirGrid's proposals regarding pylons and also the wind energy sector's proposals regarding wind farms.

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"Irish people, as part of their communities, have also now been afforded a new chance to launch a legitimate campaign arguing against proposals which they perceive to be adversely affecting their lives.

"It has been suggested that, whilst the current EU target requires 20% of EU energy consumption to come from renewables by 2020, the new target, even though it might be as high as 40%, will not be binding.

"Because the obligatory target will now most likely be removed, the argument cannot be made to communities that we are compelled or required to impose any limits, restrictions or proposals on ourselves because of external commitments and obligations."

(CD/IT)