Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 2

Written Answers. - Renewable Energy Contracts.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

97 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to decide on the next support mechanism for renewable energy contracts; if his Department has a view as to whether the development of a fixed price contract system or the use of a renewable obligation certificate system will work better to help attain the renewable energy target; and if he intends continuing with a form of the AER bidding system. [16009/03]

Dan Neville

Question:

123 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his strategy for the setting up of the promised forum on renewable energy generation to decide a post AER VI policy for renewable promotion. [16022/03]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 123 together.

I have stated publicly on a number of occasions that the immediate priority is to conclude AER VI to deliver the current target to add 500 megawatts of new renewable energy based capacity to the network by 2005. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 24 April last and the Department is currently assessing the applications received. Shortly after that process concludes and the results are announced we will launch a public consultation document to discuss future targets and support measures for renewable energy technologies to 2010 and beyond. As the consultation document is still in preparation, I am not yet in a position to indicate what approach or approaches will be suggested.

Policy decisions will be made after careful consideration of all responses received during the public consultation phase.