Vol. 545 No. 4
133 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if small enterprises are encouraged to develop alternative energy supplies by way of a wind generator turbine or otherwise; and if there are supports available in this regard. [30481/01]
In the most recent competition for rights to generate and sell electricity employing renewable energy technologies, AER V, I reduced the capacity limit in the small scale wind category from 5 MW which applied in the previous competition to 3 MW. I also precluded large scale operators from entering the small scale category. The purpose of these measures is to encourage applications from local and community based small scale operators.
The support provided in AER V is a contract between successful applicants and the ESB obliging the latter to purchase all the output from generating stations declared successful. This provides a guaranteed revenue stream which makes the projects bankable.
In addition the entire green electricity market is now liberalised. Any undertaking is now entitled to apply to the Commission for Electricity Regulation for the authority to generate, supply or consume electricity generated independently from renewable energy technologies. Support for such activity is limited to the tax relief available under section 486b of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997.
