andMr. Quinn asked the Minister for Energy if any research has been initiated or is proposed into the alternative energy sources open to Ireland other than the conventional energy fuels of oil, coal, gas and nuclear, if so, the type and extent of such research and, if not, the reasons no action has been taken in this area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alternative Energy Sources.
32.
As a result of studies undertaken the following sources of possible alternative energies have been identified as being most relevant to the Irish situation: Biomass Conversion, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Wave Energy, Heat Pumps—a conservation technique.
Research and development activities in these areas are in train at a number of institutions, with the National Board for Science and Technology having an overall promotional and co-ordination role. This research is complemented by the participation of Irish researchers in EEC and International Energy Agency projects.
In most of the areas listed the research and development activities are at a very early stage. Even if the work now in progress establishes that potential for economic operation exists it would be unrealistic to expect any worthwhile contribution to our energy supply for a number of years.
However, I believe that certain applications of these alternative systems have a particular relevance to Irish conditions and it will be my intention to have research and development projects in the most promising areas accelerated.
Could the Minister indicate which areas he considers most promising? Could he be more specific on what a worthwhile contribution to our energy needs might be? For example, what percentage of gross energy use might be available from these sources?
First, from our point of view, the most promising with the stage of development available at present, is biomass conversion. As regards the percentage contribution required from these various alternatives, I do not think it would be in the least wise to try to put a figure on that. Clearly, the kind of contribution overall that has been envisaged in previous official statements would not be sufficient for our purposes. In other words, there would have to be a very substantial increase on what seemed to be available for the contribution from these kinds of sources to be regarded as approaching the level at which we could be satisfied with them. That is not to say that even if such a level were attained we would dismiss them, but for them to make, for instance, such a significant contribution as to mean that we would not have to think in terms of a gap in requirements, and therefore of nuclear energy, the increase in contribution would have to be very substantial.
In relation to the research being carried out in this area, can the Minister give the House an assurance that the amount of money to be spent on research in this area next year will be greater than that spent last year?
I have already indicated that I intend to try to step up the effort in this area. I am examining each area of research involved which, in many cases, is under a different body. I intend to personally meet the people concerned and to discuss the projects with them. It is not unreasonable to assume that in such circumstances there is likely to be some increase in the amount of money spent on this by next year.
My question relates to the financial side. Could the Minister give the House a rough estimate of the amount of State money that will be spent on research and development into alternative energy sources in the coming year? What kind of money is involved?
I could not give the Deputy that information off hand.
Are we talking about thousands or millions?
I am sorry, I can give the Deputy some information.
I understand that a pump storage station could be suitably located at Cong, West Mayo because the geography of that area is suitable for such a development. Would the Minister consider that as an alternative source of energy for that developing area?
That is a separate question.
It will be looked at.
The Deputy could join us over here.
(Interruptions.)
The figures for 1979, the latest I have, are—biomass £415,000; solar £146,000, wind £40,000, wave £30,000 and heat pumps about £50,000. They represent fairly substantial increases on the previous year, which in turn represent increases on the year before that.
Does the Minister expect that the percentage increase this year will be substantial and that it will come to around £600,000?
I have already indicated that that is a likely result but I would hate the House to suggest that I accept the idea that the effectiveness of the research is to be measured by the amount of money that we put into it. I am sure that we all know that that is not so.
Can we take it that if worthwhile research projects are initiated by people here funds will be available to assist them in view of the importance of the future of such projects?
Yes.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.