asked the Minister for Transport and Power the steps he has taken since the oil crisis to use alternative sources of energy, especially in relation to the country's peat bogs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Peat Utilisation.
33.
Bord na Móna have recently announced plans for the production of large additional quantities of peat fuel for electricity generation and for industrial and domestic use. These plans will take some years to implement. The production target for Bord na Móna this year is the maximum possible output from their bogs and briquette factories and represents an increase of 0.7 million tons on 1973 production.
Existing peat-fired generating stations are being prepared by the ESB to take increased supplies of peat and modification of an existing oil-fired plant is in hands to permit the use of coal.
The provision of a nuclear power station has been approved in principle by the Government and the ESB are proceeding with the necessary planning. It is also proposed to use part of the natural gas find off Kinsale Head for the generation of electricity.