Vol. 565 No. 1
210 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if energy consumption in Ireland is measured; the amount consumed on a yearly basis; the amount of energy produced from renewable sources; the quantity that biomass contributes to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10175/03]
Energy consumption in Ireland is measured on an annual basis. Figures are not yet available for 2002. In 2001, total primary energy requirement, a measure of all energy consumed in Ireland, was 14,761 thousand tonnes of oil equivalent, kTOE. The TOE is an international standard measure of energy value. Energy produced from renewable sources amounted to 259 kTOE, of which biomass contributed 152 kTOE and biogas 28 kTOE. In relation to renewable energy, I recently announced the sixth alternative energy requirement, AER VI, placing contracts for 578 MWs of electricity capacity generated from new renewable energy sources on offer. The closing date for the competition is 24 April 2003.
