Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 2

Written Answers. - Expenditure on Capital Projects.

Liam Kavanagh

Question:

61 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the capital projects on which money was spent in 1988 and 1989, and will be spent in 1990, under the general heading of new and renewable sources of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

Departmental spending in the area of new and renewable sources of energy amounted to approximately £48,000 and £28,000 in 1988 and 1989, respectively.

Almost two-thirds of this was spent on a geothermal project undertaken by the Geological Survey of Ireland in association with University College Galway and University College Cork aimed at establishing heat flow and temperature data of warm water springs throughout the country. This project began in 1986 and a report detailing the results is expected in the coming months.

My Department commissioned a feasibility study in 1987 to identify sites around the country which might be economically suitable for development as wind farms. Three such sites were identified and more detailed monitoring of the wind regime at these sites was undertaken in 1989. Approximately 30 per cent of the expenditure in 1988 and 1989 related to this study. Smaller amounts were expended on studies and projects in the areas of hydro and solar energy. There is no provision for expenditure in my Department under this heading in 1990.

A number of EC funded projects under the energy demonstration programme of a capital nature were approved in the years in question in an amount of £1.71 million in 1988 and £2 million in 1989. The EC Commission has issued a provisional and limited call to tender for projects under the proposed THERMIE Programme which will replace the Energy Demonstration and Hydrocarbon Technology Programmes this year. As the closing date for submission of tenders is 20 June 1990, it is not possible for me to give any details regarding the number of nature of Irish projects which may be involved.

In addition, the ESB are at present engaged in a programme of capital expenditure involving the construction of small scale hydroelectric schemes as part of the EC Valoren Programme. During 1988 and 1989 one such scheme was built at Coomhola, near Bantry, County Cork, and this scheme is at present being commissioned. The scheme has an output of 750kW and cost £1.4 million, 55 per cent of which was funded by the EC under the Valoren Programme. A further small hydro project is under consideration for 1990.