asked the Minister for Energy if his Department has plans to harness sea power for energy purposes.
Written Answers. - Sea Power Energy.
66.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 46, 51 and 66 together.
I assume that when Deputy O'Sullivan is referring to alternative sources of energy he means new and renewable sources of energy. In relation to Deputy Kelly's question, I assume that when he refers to development of energy resources independent of oil he means imported oil.
With regard to new and renewable sources of energy, considerable sums of money have been expended in recent years in the promotion of research, development and demonstration work in this area. This investment has been undertaken by my Department, by State-funded agencies, by the universities and by the private sector.
This expenditure was incurred in areas such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass, biogas, wave and tidal energy. National efforts have been supported both by the EC and the IEA.
It can be expected that past expenditures will continue to benefit us in the future, but because of the pressures on the national finances departmental funding for new and renewable energies cannot be maintained at the same level as in previous years and is being scaled down. This will not in any way deter private sector interests from presenting appropriate projects for assistance from the EC.
My Department has no plans at present to harness sea power for energy purposes but the ESB are maintaining close links with developments in other parts of the world. With the assistance of the EC under the Valoren Programme my Department will fund measures to evaluate the potential for wind energy applications at suitable sites in Ireland. My Department has published guidelines for the private developer of small-scale hydro schemes and it has also published a report on the potential for small-scale hydro development in Ireland. This report identifies over 500 sites in private ownership which are suitable for development. Furthermore, the ESB have proposals to develop small-scale hydroelectric facilities at ten sites.
With regard to energy conservation considerable investment has been undertaken by my Department in this area especially since 1979. This investment has resulted in significant energy savings and it must be expected that the benefits of any expenditures undertaken in the past will continue into the future. The gains from this programme are, therefore, cumulative.
The current programme is comprised of several activities some of which are carried out by the IIRS on behalf of the Department. A fuel efficiency survey grant scheme is in operation and provides grants of up to one-third of the cost of engaging consultants in the carrying out of fuel efficiency surveys for hotels, manufacturing industries and third level institutions.
The IIRS have regional energy officers based in Dublin, Cork, Sligo and Shannon who advise industry and other intensive energy users on the elimination of energy wastage. This involves visiting consumers throughout each region to provide on the spot advice and to identify areas for further action by the energy user to achieve energy savings.
Similarly, the IIRS provide an electrical energy audit service free of charge to industrial and large commercial firms. This service is designed to identify savings that can be achieved from more efficient electrical energy usage.
A telephone advisory service is also provided by the IIRS to advise particularly the domestic energy consumer on any matter relating to conservation of energy. Furthermore, the institute has available to members of the public energy conservation booklets and publicity material which are designed to promote public awareness of the importance of energy efficiency.
With regard to developing our other energy resources independent of imported oil, I would refer Deputy Kelly to my statement in this House on 15 October 1987 where I gave a detailed outline of the Government's plans to promote the exploration for oil and gas.
Bord na Móna will continue its investment in the development of our indigenous bogs. Over the next five years 8,600 hectares of bogland will be developed partly under the Valoren programme and partly under the board's own third bog development programme.
The ESB have come to the end of a major investment programme in generating plant with the commissioning of the third unit at Moneypoint earlier this year. This coal plant will reduce substantially our dependence on imported oil.
With regard to coal, I am taking measures to secure development of the country's coal reserves to their maximum potential. The availability of areas in the Leinster coalfield for the grant of prospecting and mining facilities was advertised recently and my Department is considering applications for such facilities at present.