Damien English
Question:154 Mr. English asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of his plans to promote renewable energy. [6336/03]
Vol. 562 No. 4
154 Mr. English asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of his plans to promote renewable energy. [6336/03]
The promotion of renewable energy technologies is an established key priority of this Government. My immediate goal is to add an additional 500 megawatts of renewables based electricity generating capacity to the electricity network by 2005. Last week I announced the most intensive support programme ever to assist developers of renewable energy projects. The 6th alternative energy requirement competition, AER VI, will offer support to 578 mw of new renewable energy projects in a range of renewable technologies to be built between now and the end of 2005.
The alternative energy requirement programme, AER, operated by my Department supports the building of new renewable energy based electricity generating stations. Under this programme selected projects are offered guaranteed power purchase contracts with the ESB for 15 years. These guaranteed contracts reassure investors and allow developers to source investment finance which would not otherwise by available.