I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 74, 76, 98, 152, 155, 303 and 307 together.
The existing AER VI program marks the end of the current market support for renewable sourced electricity generation. The Department conducted a consultation process on future development of renewable energy which attracted 47 responses last year. To ensure future development of our renewable resources the renewable energy development group was established on 6 May last year. The group is chaired by my Department and comprises relevant experts from the administrative, industry and scientific sector, including the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, ESB national grid and the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, among others.
The group is at the end of its current work phase and its report is expected to be ready shortly. The work of the group has been informed by the renewable energy consultation process and the submissions made in response to our consultation document. Other inputs to the group came from direct presentations to the group from industry representatives and their associations; analysis conducted by sub-groups of the group itself; the work of the CHP strategy group and the bioenergy strategy group. In the course of the work of this group a wide spectrum of views and opinions were expressed by the parties involved and the views recently submitted to me by the energy regulator will be considered alongside all other views received.
In the interests of clarity and transparency, I have put out to consultation the recently expressed view of the Commission for Energy Regulation, which is an independent body under paragraph 9 in the Schedule to the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, and several replies have been received to date in response to the views outlined in the letter. I have had no specific discussions in regard to the development of alternative energy sources with the Commission for Energy Regulation nor do I have power to issue directions to the commission of the type referred to by Deputy Durkan. From my point of view, it is important to optimise the contribution of wind energy based electricity to the national supply on a basis that is fair to all parties, including consumers, and that it can be integrated safely and easily into the national network.
It is important that the State reduces its dependency on non-renewable fuels, whose prices are subject to the vagaries of the global markets and geopolitical developments which can adversely affect both the price and availability of supplies. From a national economic perspective, not just an energy policy perspective, increasing the amount of renewable energy in the system will be helpful in substituting costly fuel imports and in dealing with levels of uncertainty in the future evolution of energy prices.
I am aware of reports that the specific company referred to has decided to invest in other locations for now. That is purely a commercial decision for the company involved.
The renewable energy development group will advise on future options on policies, targets, programmes and support measures to develop the increased use of renewable energy in the electricity market to 2010 and beyond. The group's report, which is due shortly, will form the basis of my future policy decisions on the increased penetration of renewable energy technologies in the electricity market and will seek to ensure that developers can make a reasonable rate of return on renewable energy projects while ensuring that the interests of national competitiveness and the ultimate burden of cost to the final consumer are fully taken into consideration.