Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
273 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the degree to which cost effectiveness and efficiency have been evaluated in respect of various methods of energy production, having particular regard to the need to protect the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31509/04]
View answerIt is not clear what information is being sought by the question. I am taking it that it is mainly about electricity.
It is inherent in the way that the electricity system works that, with some exceptions, such as peat and wind energy which get preferential treatment, generation plant is allowed onto the system in response to fluctuating demand, based on efficiency as represented by cost. This is commonly known in the business as merit order.
Clearly there are issues around whether the cost in each case is fully inclusive of, for example, environmental degradation. The arrival of the emissions trading scheme should increasingly lead to greater transparency in this respect.
I should also point out that with the development of Ireland's gas infrastructure, gas is playing an increasingly important role in power generation. The advent of combined cycle gas turbine technology means that new gas plants are much more energy efficient and less environmentally harmful than the more traditional fossil fuel plants. I understand there is ample information and literature in the public domain around this topic.
