asked the Minister for Energy the expenditure incurred in each of the years from 1981 to 1985 inclusive, in promoting energy conservation measures and awareness, either through his own Department or through any agency or body in which he is the appropriate Minister; if he will state, in general terms, the Government's attitude towards the urgency of energy conservation; and if he will give a report on the progress of officially sponsored experiments in alternative energy sources since the first oil crisis.
Written Answers. - Energy Conservation.
22.
The expenditure incurred by my Department on energy conservation in the years 1981 to 1985 inclusive is as follows:— 1981, £2.132 million; 1982, £1.274 million; 1983, £0.678 million; 1984, £0.351 million; 1985, £0.276 million.
The purpose of this expenditure was to encourage the carrying out by energy users in all sectors of measures to improve the efficiency of energy use.
While there has been a considerable improvement in energy efficiency since the 1970's there is still scope for further improvement and it is my belief that an appropriate energy conservation programme will continue to be necessary.
As regards experiments on alternative energy sources the National Board for Science and Technology publishes annually an inventory of energy research, development and demonstration projects. Information on projects grant-aided by my Department is set out in the following tabular statement:
Energy Projects grant-aided by the Department of Energy.
|
Project Promoter |
Description |
Department Contribution |
Present Status |
|
An Foras Forbartha |
An investigation of the performance of various heating systems in a matched pair of houses. |
25% of the cost of the project — £32,690 (1981-1984). |
Completed. |
|
Kerry Co-operative Creameries Ltd. |
A multi-solid fuel fluidi- sed bed boiler with steam/turbine diesel CHP plant. |
3.25% of total cost of project — £120,000 (1983-1985). |
Installed and in operation. |
|
Michael Sheehan |
The production of biogas from pig effluent for home and farm heating. |
33?% of costs: £6,800 (1982-1984). |
Completed. |
|
Mitchelstown Co- operative Agricultural Society Ltd. |
Partial coal firing of existing oil-fired boilers. |
8.5% of costs: £14,285 (1982). |
Project completed, monitoring in progress. |
|
Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel, Killiney. |
CHP using LPG. |
19% of costs £19,000 (1982-1984). |
Completed. |
|
Peter Mark Ltd. |
Use of heat pump in hairdressing salon. |
33?% of costs—£990 (1982). |
Completed. |
|
Clonmel Corporation |
Passive solar housing. |
4.8% of costs — £94,560 (1982-1984). |
In progress. |
|
Department of Energy |
Monitoring the performance of 5 windmills. |
£240,000 approx. (60%) (1984-1987). |
In progress. |
|
13 proposers |
Installation or modification of hydro generation facilities. |
£98,800 (1981). |
12 completed and in operation. |
|
Geological Survey of Ireland. |
Investigation of Geothermal Energy Potential. |
£78,800 (50%) (1982- 1983). |
Completed. |
|
G. Wrixon, UCC |
Solar Power at Fota Island, Cork. |
£39,800 (5% approx.) (1981-1984). |
Completed. |
|
A. Lewis, UCC |
Wave Power Study |
£10,000 (35% approx.) (1981). |
Completed. |
|
An Foras Talúntais/Forest & Wildlife Service/UCG |
Biomass projects in cooperation with other countries. |
Annual membership subscriptions to IEA Bioenergy Agreement (£5,000 p.a. approx.). |
Continuing. |
|
An Foras Talúntais |
Short Rotation Forestry studies |
£5,000 approx. (1986). |
Continuing. |
|
Lanesborough Horticultural Products Ltd. |
Use of waste heat from electricity generating station to heat glasshouses. |
10% of costs—£46,281 (1979-1980). |
In operation. |