Jim Higgins
Question:74 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the steps, if any, being taken to accelerate a shift from fossil fuels to clean energy such as wind, solar and wave power. [10466/00]
Written Answers. - Electricity Generation.
I refer the Deputy to my previous reply of 10 May 2000. The position remains unchanged.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:75 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on whether Ireland is facing an unprecedented energy and environmental crisis with energy imports costing more than £1 billion per year and an energy dependency reaching unprecedented levels with imports now accounting for 86% of Irish energy supply and rising; and the plans, if any, in place to deal with this situation. [13342/00]
The position in regard to energy supply is not as dramatic as the question implies. The key objectives of energy policy are to ensure environmentally sustainable energy production and consumption, develop a competitive energy supply industry, ensure security and reliability of energy supply and maximise energy efficiency.
As the Deputy suggests, the Irish energy market is characterised by increasing demand, scarce indigenous sources of energy, a high dependence on imports for our energy supply and limited interconnection. Unprecedented economic growth has resulted in increased energy demand over the past number of years and this trend is expected to continue. A key element of Irish energy policy, in that context, is the need to ensure security of energy supply. At the same time environmental concerns and the imperative to meet international obligations under the Kyoto Protocol impact on energy policy.
Strategies that are being followed in relation to Irish energy objectives include the diversification of fuel sources in electricity generation, the maximisation of energy efficiency through Irish energy centre programmes, and the promotion of additional electricity generating capacity from renewable sources.
Liberalisation of electricity markets is expected to result in a significant increase in gas as a proportion of the fuel mix in electricity generation. Gas is projected to increase from 30% of the fuel mix in 1998 to 56% in 2010. As the Kinsale field reaches the end of its productive life, the new find at the Corrib field, yet to be declared commercial, takes on more importance. As the Deputy may be aware, the results of appraisal tests carried out to date in the field have been very encouraging.
The recent decision to replace older peat fired generating plants with two new peat stations, along with the peat plant under construction at Edenderry, will ensure a continued indigenous input to the electricity generation fuel mix.
Furthermore, both I, as Minister, and the Commission for Electricity Regulation in carrying out our duties under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, must have regard,inter alia, to the need to promote the continuity, security and quality of supplies of electricity. We also have a duty to take account of the protection of the environment.
In relation to energy efficiency and the deployment of renewable energy, the Deputy will be aware that my Green Paper on Sustainable Energy, published last September, establishes a new framework for the promotion of energy efficiency and the development of significant renewable energy electricity generation which are central to energy policy in the context of the Kyoto commitments. Programmes and measures tailored to all energy consuming sectors are set out with the objective of reducing levels of energy consumption below the business as usual forecast. A new target of 500 MWe of electricity generated from renewable sources of energy has been set. The Government, in the National Development Plan 2000-2006, has provided for expenditure, to a total of £146 million, on activities and programmes related to reduction in energy consumption and the further deployment of renewable energy sources.