Trevor Sargent
Question:282 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that the stability of the Arklow banks is adequate for the development of an offshore wind farm. [22397/02]
Written Answers. - Alternative Energy Projects.
A number of test bore holes were drilled by the consortium proposing to carry out a wind farm development on the Arklow Bank, as part of their investigation of the suitability of the location for such a development. The results of these tests, which indicated that the bank is sufficiently stable to support turbines, were taken into account in the decision to authorise the construction of a wind farm. The consortium will carry out cone penetration tests in respect of the proposed locations for individual turbines before final siting decisions are made.
Trevor Sargent
Question:283 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the chief executive officer of a company (details supplied) stated in 2001 that there are 40 years of oil and 60 years of gas left at current rates of depletion; and when he will put in place a policy to prepare for a fossil free energy future, in view of the fact that Ireland has an 80% reliance on fossil fuels. [22398/02]
A fossil fuel free energy future for transport, in particular, would require a major step change in technology. In that context we are technology takers in the main.
While acknowledging our high dependence on energy imports, I nonetheless am confident that this reliance can be significantly reduced with greater investment in energy efficiency to curb overall demand and by harnessing more indigenous energy sources. Sustainable Energy Ireland, which was established as a statutory agency on 1 May this year, implements initiatives on renewable energy and energy efficiency on behalf of my Department. Under the economic and social infrastructure operational programme of the National Development Plan, 2000 to 2006, funding of €223 million is earmarked for the authority's operations and programmes. The agency recently launched a five year strategy to promote and assist energy efficient practices in all sectors and to encourage alternative technologies, including renewable energy and combined heat and power.
The increased use of indigenous renewable energy technologies in green electricity production is a cornerstone of the solution to reduce our import dependency. The Government's current target is to deliver an additional 500 megawatts of new green electricity production plants to the network by 2005. This target originates in the publication of a Green Paper on Sustainable Energy in 1999. The target will be implemented through competitions conducted under the alternative energy requirement programme, AER, administered by my Department. Last Thursday I announced the broad terms and conditions of the AER VI competition which will ensure that the target is delivered.
More recently, an EU directive on the promotion of renewable energy in electricity production – 2001/77/EC – was published. This directive imposes a binding obligation on member states to develop a programme to increase the consumption of green electricity. The obligation addressed to Ireland is to increase green electricity to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. I indicated that I intend to undertake a public consultation process in early 2003 on future targets and the most appropriate support mechanisms to deliver the target to 2010. This consultation will commence once the AER VI competition is formally launched.
It has long been recognised that ongoing investment in research and development is essential if the barriers to the uptake of renewable energy technologies and fuels are to be overcome, particularly in the energy and transport areas. Against this background, I have secured funding for the implementation of a new renewable energy research development and demonstration programme, which will be administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland. The focus of this programme is to stimulate the application and further deployment of these technologies, particularly those close to market viability.