Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 1

Written Answers. - Gas Supplies.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

144 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the measures, if any, which are being taken to conserve Ireland's valuable national gas supplies; if he will give details of (a) the percentage of our electricity which is now being generated by the use of gas and (b) his long term strategy for the generation of electricity in Ireland.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

In relation to the question of conservation of gas reserves, I would refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to a similar question in this House on 12 May 1992.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the percentage of electricity which is generated by the use of gas is published in the ESB's Annual Report and Accounts. Thirty-five per cent of our electricity was generated from gas in 1991.

In relation to the long term generation strategy, it is my Department's policy to encourage ESB to avail of the most economic fuels available having due regard to plant efficiency and availability. At present gas is the most attractive fuel for power generation from both economic and environmental perspectives. It is likely that the next addition to generation capacity will be gas fired.