Pearse Wyse
Question:57 Mr. Wyse asked the Minister for Energy the steps he is taking to promote the use of alternative energy opportunities.
Written Answers. - Alternative Energy Opportunities.
It is my Department's policy to continuously monitor developments in renewable energy both at home and abroad with a view to introducing them into the energy supply system where technical and reliability criteria can be met and where it is economic to do so.
Most of the hydro potential in the country has already been developed. The ESB currently has about 512 MW (including 292 MW of pumped storage) of installed hydro electric capacity and there is about another 4 MW of private hydro capacity. This represents about 73 per cent of the total technically feasible hydro potential in the country. The best sites, from the technical viewpoint, have already been developed and development of the remainder will undoubtedly be more difficult and costly and will depend on changing economic conditions and other issues such as concern for the environment.
Attempts in the early 1980's to assess the technical feasibility of developing wind energy in Ireland were, generally speaking, disappointing. Under the EC Valoren programme, my Department commissioned a survey to identify the most suitable sites for wind energy development and, as the Deputy may be aware, I invited proposals to be submitted to me last year for Ireland's first wind farm development. The proposals which were submitted in response to this invitation are currently being examined by an assessment team in my Department and I expect to have their recommendation around the middle of February. Up to £3.9 million in EC funds are available for this project under the Valoren programme.
Most of the remaining opportunities for alternative energy development are not at such a technologically advanced stage as to justify their development on a large commercial scale. However, research continues to be carried out by the private sector and by State sector companies under EC programmes. My Department monitor this activity and research which is carried out internationally in this area.