Alternative Energy Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Questions (749)

Martin Ferris

Question:

767 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the 20th anniversary of Ireland’s first wind farm at Bellacorick, County Mayo falls later this year; if he will provide the names of those who served on the assessment team set up by his predecessor as well as the names of the independent outside experts in the wind energy area that advised his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19056/12]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte)

I am aware that Ireland's first commercial wind farm has been operating at Bellacorick, County Mayo since 1992. Information on the Bellacorick wind farm is available on the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) website and it indicates that the project was grant-aided by the EU Valoren programme, which assisted the development of indigenous energy potential in less development regions of the community in the 1980s and 1990s.

No records can be located in my Department or in SEAI in relation to the administration of projects under the Valoren Programme as it applied to Ireland.