Vol. 512 No. 1
129 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some American power companies have given their customers energy CFLs free of charge rather than build expensive power stations; if she would adopt a similar strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25524/99]
130 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on the suggestion that, if every home was to install two energy efficient lamps, peak demand would be reduced by roughly 115 megawatts and, at £6 per lamp, this would cost £14 million whereas a new 150 megawatt power station would cost £70 million; the plans, if any, she has to invest hugely in energy efficiency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25525/99]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together.
I am glad to be able to inform the Deputy that there are more than 2.8 million CFLs in use in this country, in addition to other energy efficient forms of lighting. This is an average in excess of two per household. Another related development earlier this year was the introduction of new legislation requiring the energy labelling of certain types of household lighting.
The distribution of free CFLs can be a valuable strategy in the right context, but it is a strategy that must be suited to market conditions. The promotional and targeted subsidy approach adopted by the Irish Energy Centre in partnership with the ESB and major lamp suppliers has proven to be highly successful as shown by the above figures for CFL use. The ESB is continually looking at ways to increase its demand side management activities including further promotion of CFLs.
The success of energy efficiency marketing efforts to date and its potential to reduce demand and greenhouse gas emissions has already been recognised by the Government. The Green Paper on Sustainable Energy, which I published in September, recommended a substantial increase in our efforts to improve energy efficiency. These proposals have been followed through in the national development plan where £146 million has been allocated for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures over the period up to 2006. In terms of major investments by the Exchequer, the Estimates for next year provide for a threefold increase in funding for such programmes and I expect a major rate of increase to continue over the coming years. This is an indication of the Government's strong commitment to energy efficiency and to meeting our greenhouse gas obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
