Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
68 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which the development of alternative energy sources in being pursued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25808/04]
View answerThe promotion of renewable energy technologies is a key priority of this Government. The Green Paper on Sustainable Energy 1999 established a target to add 500 MW of new renewable energy based electricity generating plant to be added to the electricity network by 2005.
In addition, at the launch of AER VI, my predecessor announced support for an additional 50 MW of new generating capacity in an offshore wind category and an additional 28 MW specific to biomass powered CHP plants. Subsequently at the announcement of the initial round of offers in AER VI it was proposed to add a further 140 MW to the original 500 MW target, subject to State aids clearance.
The necessary state aids clearance was received recently and I will announce shortly the allocations, by project, of all the unallocated capacity.
AER VI brings to a close an initial programme to add renewable energy technologies to the network at a level which does not raise serious technical issues. However planning for future programmes at increased penetration levels does cause significant technical issues which must be addressed in order to maintain system security for electricity customers. This plan may in turn require a revision of the current support programme to embrace changes required to allow higher levels of wind energy penetration in particular.
At the end of last year a consultation document entitled, Options for Future Renewable Energy Policy, Targets and Programmes, was published. The consultation document and supporting annexes which examine in detail support mechanisms and renewable energy policies in Ireland as well as in other European countries, were published on my Department's website and looked at key future challenges in the future including policy, future green energy markets, how to overcome barriers to the deployment of renewable energy and future options for market support mechanisms.
In May of this year, a renewable energy development group, chaired by my Department, was established. The group comprises relevant experts from the administrative and scientific sector which interacts appropriately with key market players. This group will advise on future options on policies, targets, programmes and support measures to develop the increased use of renewable energy to 2010 and beyond. This group's report which is due before the end of this year will form the basis of my future policy proposals to Government.
In tandem with this work programme administered by my Department, Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, the independent non-commercial state body focused exclusively on sustainable use of energy including deployment of renewable energy sources, has commenced a challenging work programme to increase energy efficiency and to promote renewable energy technologies. In the renewable energy field specifically SEI has opened a research, development and demonstration programme for renewable energy technologies. The programme is open to a wide range of proposals, including policy studies, field research, feasibility studies and technology RD&D.
