asked the Minister for Energy whether it is Government policy to develop alternative energy sources; and the total amount of public money spent on research and development in this area over the past year.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Energy Sources.
3.
asked the Minister for Energy the present position and the progress made to date in the development of soft energy sources.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
I have on numerous occasions clearly outlined the Government's policy to develop new energy sources. I believe that energy from biomass, wind, and small hydro schemes is of particular relevance to the Irish situation in the immediate future and that in the longer term it may be possible to utilise solar energy, wave power, tidal and even geothermal sources. Research and development and demonstration work are in progress in all of these areas. Because of its very nature, research, development and demonstration work in any new area is a slow process and reporting on progress at frequent intervals is not appropriate. Nonetheless, I can provide details of recent developments.
Since I instructed my Department last year to develop a national wind power programme, a large number of proposals have been received and evaluated by the Department of Energy. The initial assessments led me to call for projects which would demonstrate the use of wind power at different types of locations where the wind power resource would be of different strength and quality, or could be harnessed for a particular purpose. These locations included an island site, a coastal-mountain site, midland site, a co-operative based project, and a project involving manufacturing industry. Following discussions with the relevant semi-State agencies including the ESB. An Foras Talúntais, the Meteorological Services and the Office of Public Works. ten projects have now been selected for funding — including those organised by the ESB. The final details of these projects are being worked out by officials of my Department in conjunction with those agencies. In addition to these demonstration projects which include electricity generation, grid connection, water pumping for both supply purposes and for drainage and water heating, work is well advanced on a programme to record wind data and analyse it in support of these projects.
I have given up-to-date information on the biomass programme in reply to a question on 27 January. There have been no significant recent developments on solar and wave power.
Actual figures on expenditure of public money by various bodies on alternative energy in 1980 are not yet available. However, estimates of expenditure, based on information available to my Department and to the National Board for Science and Technology indicate that in 1980 £1.02 million was set aside for this work.
While one could worry about the potential of solar power, is it not a fact that we have special advantages in relation to wave power because of the great stretch of our west coast? I understand that some research is going on at UCD. Are we spending any significant sums on this project, especially in view of the fact that the British have just given up their rather promising experiments, the Cockrell Raft and so on, which would mean that if we do not do it nobody else is going to do it? Are we spending real money on the project or do we intend to spend real money on it?
I agree that there is considerable potential in this area. It is estimated that potentially the energy generated by the waves around this island constitutes about three times the amount of energy consumed on the island at present, so the potential is there. However, the harnessing of that energy is a project which is far ahead. We are a considerable distance from achieving success in harnessing that energy. As the Deputy said, we are doing some work in Cork and also in other institutions.
There are wave measurement projects going on around our coast but, on the basic kind of work involved in this, the major effort is taking place in Japan. We are participating in that experimentation. We contribute a relatively small amount to it but we are participating in the feed back from it. I believe that is the area from which there is the greatest liklihood of progress. I regard it as being a longer term project than some of the others I have mentioned.
Is the Minister satisfied that Cork is getting as much money as they could use, if they got it, to good effects?
I have no reason to believe otherwise.
Would the Minister say which island off the west coast is to be provided with wind-powered generation of electricity and if he is satisfied that one experiment is sufficient? In view of the cost of conventional means of electricity supplied to islands, would he not agree that perhaps he should endeavour to locate wind generation plants on all the inhabitated islands off the west coast?
The island in question is Inis Oir on the Aran Islands. It is experimental — indeed all the work on wind generators is experimental, as I have explained. If it is successful, we will be extending it.
How long will it take?
I cannot say. Clearly, it is going to take this year anyway and probably longer.
The Minister mentioned there were ten experiments in wind energy going ahead, including those operated by the ESB. Is that correct?
Yes.
Mr. Barry
How many are operated by the ESB?
Three or four, I think.
And the other six or seven are funded directly by the Government?
No, that is not correct. Some of them are and some of them will be funded or partially funded by An Foras Talúntais.
In reply to Deputy Dr. Browne the Minister said that the Cork project was adequately funded, although perhaps not adequately from their point of view. Are the Government contributing to this or is it coming out of the general grant through the HEA to universities?
I think it is getting funds in both ways, through the HEA and also directly. As far as I recall what I said was that I was unaware of any inadequacy in the amount paid. I was not saying it was adequate but I was unaware of any inadequacy.
If it is inadequate, would the Minister entertain an application directly for funds from his Department for the experiment?
Applications of this kind are always entertained. I am not giving any commitment.
Is it all right if they apply directly to the Minister?
They would get sympathetic consideration.
They would prefer the money.