Vol. 423 No. 1
145 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Energy his views on whether Ireland has excellent potential for windpower generation of electricity; and, if so, the reason resources are not being expended to develop the harnessing of such a valuable source of energy.
As part of the Valoran Programme my Department commissioned a survey in 1989 to identify the most suitable sites for wind energy development and to make detailed assessments of the wind regimes at those sites. The results of this survey published in early 1990 showed that Ireland does indeed have an excellent potential for windpower.
Funds are available for research, development and demonstration in a number of areas including wind energy under the European Community's "JOULE" and "THERMIE" programmes and Irish wind energy projects have already successfully secured financial support under these programmes. In addition, under the "VALO-REN" programme, which closed in October 1991, up to £3.9 million has been made available for Ireland's first wind farm at Bellacorick, County Mayo, the construction of which is now almost complete.
Last year the price which the ESB pays for electricity supplied to the grid from non-fuel renewable energy sources was increased with effect from 1 July 1991.
