Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Energy Resources.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

127 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has stated in 2001 that there are 40 years of oil and 60 years of gas resources left at current rates of depletion; and when he will put in place a strategy and targets to prepare for a fossil-free energy future. [1195/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

For many years now there has been speculation about the time frame within which renewable fossil fuel resources will be exhausted and to my knowledge that time frame has not varied much during the past 25 years. What is of immediate concern to me is the environmental impact of using fossil fuels and the putting in place of policies and measures to alleviate such impacts.

The Government has elaborated on a number of such policies in the Green Paper on Sustainable Energy and the national climate change strategy. In addition the recent setting up of Sustainable Energy Ireland as an independent, non-commercial State body focused exclusively on sustainable use of energy, including deployment of renewable energy sources, is an indication of Government resolve to see those policies implemented. This represents a good beginning on the road to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

My Department is engaged in a process to add in excess of 500 megawatts of new renewable energy based electricity generating capacity to the network by 2005 under the alternative energy requirement programme. My officials are currently working on terms and conditions to offer reasonable support to project developers. I expect to be in a position to launch a detailed public tender document very shortly. I have already indicated the tender document will include proposed dedicated support for offshore wind energy and biomass technologies not previously successful under the renewable energy support programme. I am satisfied this support, added to existing renewable energy based stocks, will double our production from approximately 6% towards 12% of electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2005.

In addition, I plan to invest approximately €223 million in energy conservation, including €67 million allocated for alternative and renewable energy, under the national development plan and the European Union funded Economic Social Infrastructure Operational Programme. Under this programme, Sustainable Energy Ireland has opened a research, development and demonstration programme with a headline fund of €16.25 million to 2006. The programme is open to a wide range of proposals including policy studies, field research, feasibility studies and technology RD&D. Further information on this programme is available directly from Sustainable Energy Ireland. I am satisfied the steps we are taking now will ensure Ireland delivers a proportionate contribution to a universal solution to a global environmental challenge.