Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 3

Written Answers. - Wind Energy.

Donal Carey

Question:

92 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has had any discussions with the ESB regarding the use of wind energy as a source of power; and her views on the experimental areas that are being selected. [10420/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

The technology to harness wind energy as a means of electricity generation is reasonably proven. The constraints on the technology are chiefly the random nature of the energy source; planning consent issues; connections to the electricity network and the ability of the network to absorb the output while maintaining security of supply.

I have set a target to support the construction of an additional 500 megawatts of renewable energy based electricity generating capacity by 2005. It is recognised that the bulk of this new capacity will come from wind energy sources. As with previous support measures suitable renew able energy projects will be identified in a competitive process.

In that competitive process the ESB may be an applicant. It would therefore be inappropriate to discuss the detail of any future competitive process with it. In dealings concerning future programmes to support electricity production from renewable energy sources, my officials maintain contact with the ESB only to the extent necessary to address grid connection issues and the ability of the network to absorb the increased output from the revised targets that I have set.