Written Answers Nos. 117 -133
117. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the North-South electricity interconnector will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20226/13]
View answerEirGrid and Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) are jointly planning a second North South electricity interconnector which will provide a second high-capacity electricity transmission line between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The proposed project is a 400kV overhead line linking the existing 400kV substation in Woodland, County Meath, with a planned substation in Turleenan, County Tyrone.
EirGrid has this month published a report which includes a re-evaluation of all aspects of the proposed development and which identifies a preferred corridor and an indicative line route for that part of the 400 kV overhead line to be located in Ireland. EirGrid is seeking feedback from concerned parties on the contents and the findings of this report over the coming weeks.
EirGrid will consider all feedback received before finalising its preferred project solution, which is expected to be published in the coming months. This in turn will be the subject of a further period of formal public consultation.
This consultation will focus on the preferred line design, including the line route, preferred structure and tower locations; methodology for siting and construction of towers; and environmental issues to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement.
The subsequent step after this consultation will be the submission of an application for planning approval to An Bord Pleanála, most likely at the end of this year or early 2014. Assuming the application is successful, I am informed by EirGrid that it is expected that construction will commence in 2015 and take at least three years to complete.
118. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Bord Gáis intends to take spurs off the new main gas pipeline being placed through County Wexford in order to facilitate smaller industries (details supplied), not located on the route of the mainline, who would benefit from such a supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20179/13]
View answerThe development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the statutory, independent body, charged with the assessment and licensing of prospective operators seeking to develop and operate a gas distribution system within the State. I have no direct statutory function in relation to connections to the gas network.
In 2006, the CER approved a new network connections policy which enabled reassessment of the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network. This policy was updated in 2011. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be satisfied as a prerequisite. The policy allows for the appraisal of a town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns. The policy framework provides that, over a certain period, the costs of connecting a town, or group of towns, to the network are recouped through the actual economic consumption of gas and the associated tariffs.
In December 2012 Gaslink announced a decision to extend the gas network to Wexford town. This followed an earlier decision by the CER to connect the Great Island power station to the gas network.
As regards the connection of enterprises to the gas network, such connections are subject to charges and usage commitments, in line with the CER approved Connections Policy. The Policy details how connection charges are calculated for the various categories of industrial, commercial and domestic customers. Connection costs are split between upfront charges, supplemental charges and future tariff commitments.
Full details are available at Gaslink’s website at www.gaslink.ie. Applications to connect to the gas network should be made directly to Gaslink.
119. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to any possible conflict between members of energy advisory committees and commercial energy companies in relation to current or proposed projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/13]
View answerThe appointments of chairmen and directors to State Boards are made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the legislation governing those boards. The boards act in accordance with the revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies published by the Department of Finance in 2009, and all Board members are required to make Statements of Interests under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001.
120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which targets set by his Department are being realised or are achievable in respect of alternative energy electricity generation and reduction in dependency on fossil fuels in each of the past four years to date; the extent to which this is in line with targets set at European level; if any corrective measures are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20163/13]
View answer122. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the development of the wind energy sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20221/13]
View answer375. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which fossil fuel imports have been replaced by indigenous alternative energy sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20408/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 122 and 375 together.
Under the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland is required to increase renewable energy from 3.1% in 2005 to 16% in 2020, with a minimum target of 10% in the transport sector. Energy is consumed across the transport, heating and electricity sectors. At end 2012, we had reached 6.4% of overall energy consumption from renewable sources. Our intention is to reach our overall target through 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable transport and 12% renewable heating, which together amount to 16% of all energy consumption.
Under the Directive, Ireland was required to set out in a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) the trajectory towards meeting its legally binding target. The NREAP and the First Progress Report on the NREAP, which are available on my Department’s website, show the sectoral and technology breakdown that we anticipate in the achievement of our target. Wind generated electricity is expected to play a major role. At end 2012, 19.5% approximately of our electricity consumption was from renewable sources. The following table provides a breakdown of renewables consumption over the period 2007 to 2012.
|
Normalised |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012(P) |
|
Renewables % of Gross Electricity |
9.9% |
11.1% |
13.7% |
14.9% |
17.6% |
19.5% |
|
Hydro (normalised) |
2.5% |
2.5% |
2.6% |
2.6% |
2.7% |
2.7% |
|
Wind (normalised) |
6.8% |
7.9% |
10.2% |
11.2% |
13.7% |
15.2% |
|
Biomass |
0.0% |
0.1% |
0.2% |
0.4% |
0.5% |
0.9% |
|
Landfill Gas |
0.5% |
0.5% |
0.6% |
0.6% |
0.6% |
0.6% |
|
Biogas |
0.1% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
Feed-in tariffs are the primary support mechanism for wind energy in Ireland. REFIT 2 which was launched last year is designed to incentivise the addition of up to 4,000MW of new renewable electricity capacity to the Irish grid from onshore wind, hydro and biomass landfill gas technologies. Plants must be new plants in all cases, neither built nor under construction on 1 January 2010. Projects must be operational by the end of 2017. The support for any particular project cannot exceed 15 years and may not extend beyond 31 December 2032.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) published a report entitled “Energy in Ireland” in November 2012. That report gives an estimated figure of approximately €300 million in avoided national gas imports from the use of all renewable energies in the generation of electricity in 2011. Wind generation alone would account for an estimated €240 million of the €300 million in avoided gas imports.
The Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation that UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey and I signed on 24 January will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the United Kingdom. This will determine whether it is beneficial for both countries to enter into an Inter-Governmental Agreement under the Renewable Energy Directive to provide for renewable energy trading.
If an Inter-Governmental Agreement is entered into, there are potential significant employment opportunities. As an example, employment creation arising from a 3,000MW project would be expected to be in the order of 3,000 to 6,000 job years in the construction phase, with the actual number dependent on the construction schedule to 2020. There would also be additional jobs created in the ongoing maintenance of turbines over a 20-year operating life. Further employment opportunities could arise if turbines or components were to be manufactured in Ireland. All relevant State agencies, particularly in the enterprise area, would have to coordinate their activities early in the process to ensure employment potential of export projects is maximised. This opportunity has already been identified by the Industrial Development Authority and Enterprise Ireland in their clean technology growth strategies.
123. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of discussions that have taken place with wind energy companies in relation to the erection of wind turbines in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20190/13]
View answerThe Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation that UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey and I signed on 24 January will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the United Kingdom. This will determine whether it is beneficial for both countries to enter into an Inter-Governmental Agreement under the Renewable Energy Directive to provide for renewable energy trading.
The amount of energy to be procured by the United Kingdom and the mechanisms for sharing the resultant economic benefits, including an appropriate return to the Exchequer, are matters to be addressed in the coming year, and ahead of signing a potential Inter-Governmental Agreement, which would have to consider, and provide appropriately for, any risk to the Irish State or consumer.
Since taking up my position as Minister for Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources, I have been meeting with companies and individuals involved in the development of renewable energy on an on-going basis. That includes several developers who have made presentations and discussed their ideas for the development of renewable energy projects for export. In terms of Ireland’s negotiations with the UK, we have not yet determined or agreed the selection process for any potential joint projects, which will be a further matter to be discussed and negotiated in the coming year. Any such selection process would, of course, be open and transparent.
Any new wind turbines that may be built will be subject to the Planning Acts, including the requirements for public consultation.
124. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the location from which the oil rig that is currently drilling off Dunquin, County Kerry, is being serviced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20197/13]
View answerA shore base has been established in the Port of Cork for the duration of the Dunquin well operations. A fleet of four vessels will be rotating between the drilling unit and the shore base to provide support for the operations. The fleet includes two certified standby vessels with one vessel stationed at the drilling unit at all times. A Cork based company has been engaged by the operator in providing shore base services, including stevedoring and equipment storage. In addition, waste management services and fuel supply are also being provided by Irish companies. Helicopter flights to and from the drilling unit are being operated out of Cork Airport.
125. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with mobile telephone companies in relation to the elimination of roaming charges between the Six Counties and 26 Counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20191/13]
View answerThe regulation of maximum permitted retail charges for roaming services within a fully liberalised EU market is pursued as an EU competency, following the commencement of “EU Regulation No. 717/2007 on roaming on mobile telephone networks within the Community”. There have been three such EU Regulations since the first regulation commenced in July 2007, which have successively reduced the maximum permitted retail roaming charges as well as introducing consumer protection measures to inform users of the roaming charges they may incur and to avoid bill shocks.
The overall objective of these Regulations is to bring about common tariffs for national and roaming services across the EU over time. A number of mobile service providers in Ireland already offer options for users roaming in Northern Ireland which charge for such services at or below their national unit rates. The available options when roaming in Northern Ireland include roaming calls billed at national rates, calls included within bundled minutes and calls billed at out of bundle rates, where users opt for a related network operator when roaming. The offers differ from service provider to service provider.
The current EU Regulation, No. 531/2012, which commenced in July 2012, imposes two further reductions in retail roaming charges to be implemented by 1 July 2013 in the first instance, followed by a further reduction by I July 2014. The regulated maximum per minute price, exclusive of VAT, will then have reduced from €0.49 in 2007 to €0.19 for making a call and from €0.24 in 2007 to €0.05 for receiving a call. In addition the retail price for data services when roaming, will reduce from €0.70 to €0.20 per megabyte, exclusive of VAT, between July 2012 and July 2014.
The current EU Regulation also requires the EU Commission to review the effectiveness of these measures, including a review of the availability of offers providing a common tariff for national and roaming. The review mechanism is designed to ensure that the impact of the current EU Regulation, is closely monitored and that new measures can be introduced if necessary. My Department will participate actively in this review and the Commission is to make a final report to the European Parliament and Council by 30 June 2016.
126. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Western Development Commission paper, Why Invest in Gas?, which outlines the clear benefit of extending the natural gas distribution network to the north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19955/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Parliamentary Questions raised by him on this issue, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the statutory, independent body, charged with the assessment and licensing of prospective operators seeking to develop and operate a gas distribution system within the State. I have no direct statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network.
The CER, in 2006, approved a network connections policy which enabled reassessment of the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be satisfied as a prerequisite. The policy allows for the appraisal of a town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns.
This policy framework provides that, over a certain period, the costs of connecting a town, or group of towns, to the network are recouped through the actual economic consumption of gas and the associated tariffs. Uneconomic projects would increase costs for all energy consumers.
Under the CER’s policy framework, Bord Gáis Networks, and latterly Gaslink, carried out a comprehensive review of towns not connected to the national gas network. Gaslink published its New Towns Analysis Phase 3 report in 2010.
The study included a review of the feasibility of connecting 11 towns in the West and North West region which are the focus of the Western Development Commission paper, “Why Invest in Gas”. However, the Gaslink review found that none of the towns qualified for connection on economic grounds.
Gaslink will continue to review the towns which did not qualify for connection under the 2010 Study as well as other towns. The key factor which would qualify a town or group of towns in any future review would be a significant increase in demand for natural gas, usually as a result of the addition of a new large industrial or commercial facility.
127. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way Ireland compares with other European countries regarding the addition of biofuels in petrol and diesel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20178/13]
View answerThe Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means to meet the target of at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, which was mandated to each Member State by the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive.
The Biofuel Obligation Scheme works by obligating large road transport fuel suppliers to bring a certain amount of biofuels to the market. Since 1 January 2013, the obligation rate stands at 6% by volume.
The main types of biofuels being used in Ireland are ethanol which is blended with petrol and biodiesel which is blended with diesel. Blends of up to 5% ethanol can be used in any petrol powered vehicle with blends of up to 7% biodiesel suitable for use in all diesel vehicles.
How each Member State meets its 10% target is a matter for that Member State. However, I understand that most Member States use quota systems similar to ours, though some define their obligation in energy terms rather than by volume and there is a wide range of obligation rates across Member States. For example, Germany has a 6.5% by volume obligation and Portugal has a 5.5% obligation in energy terms. The UK rate for 2013 and 2014 is 4.75% by volume. Other countries also use gaseous biofuels such as biogas and biomethane in gas powered vehicles and the use of higher blend liquid fuels such as E85 is more commonplace in Europe than in Ireland.
The Biofuel Obligation Scheme has successfully delivered increased amounts of biofuel in Ireland resulting in 145 million litres being placed on the Irish market in 2011. Of this, approximately 18.5 million litres was produced indigenously from waste material such as used cooking oil. For the purpose of the Biofuel Obligation Scheme, a litre of biofuel produced from wastes and residues counts as two litres which means the use of such biofuel is incentivised under the scheme. Though figures for 2012 are not yet available, I understand that the amount of indigenous biofuel on the market increased last year. The recent increase in the obligation rate along with future increases will see the biofuel market grow to an estimated 500 million litres by 2020. This will continue to create opportunities for indigenous industry to produce biofuels here in Ireland.
128. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are towns to be added to the MAN scheme; if these towns will be identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20194/13]
View answerThere are no plans to add further towns to the Metropolitan Area Networks programme at this time.
The Government however recognises the need to ensure that high speed broadband is available in all parts of Ireland to underpin economic growth, enable eCommerce and greater connectivity for citizens generally. To this end, the National Broadband Plan, which I published in August last, aims to ensure that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses.
Specifically, the Plan commits to: 70Mbps to 100Mbps available from the commercial market operators to more than half of the population by 2015; At least 40Mbps, and in many cases faster speeds, to at least a further 20% and potentially as much as 35% of the population, and A minimum of 30Mbps for every remaining home and business in the country.
During the preparation of the National Broadband Plan, the commercial market operators indicated that they expect to provide 70Mbps to 100Mbps services to 50% of the population by 2015. Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector operators are underway in both fixed line and mobile high speed broadband services, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.
The Government is also committed in the Plan to investing in areas where high speed services are not commercially viable and will not be provided by the market. In an important milestone towards delivery of this commitment in the Plan, my Department will appoint, in the next few days, a team of experts to assist it in the design, planning and procurement of the State-led investment. Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations including stakeholder engagement will be ongoing throughout 2013 with a view to launch of a procurement process in 2014.
Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, we are committed to increasing the availability of next generation speeds significantly, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in a digitally enabled society.
129. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are any plans to locate wind turbines on the banks of the River Liffey between Strawberry Beds and Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19951/13]
View answerPlans to locate wind turbines in specific locations is in the first instance a matter for developers in consultation with the relevant planning authority, having due regard to the Development Plan for the area. Any such proposed project would be subject to the Planning Acts, including the requirements for public consultation. I am not aware of any plans to locate wind turbines on the banks of the River Liffey between Strawberry Beds and Lucan.
More generally, a technical review of the Wind Energy Guidelines is being overseen by officials from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, my Department and the SEAI. This review will examine the manner in which the guidelines address key issues of community concern such as noise (including separation distance) and shadow flicker. The review will be completed later this year.
130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there will be any negative impact upon the ability of Bord Gáis Energy to fund research and development projects into alternative energy by indigenous companies as a result of the sale of Bord Gáis Energy; if so, the way in which he intends to replace this source of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19954/13]
View answerBord Gáis Éireann has invested both capital and resources into specific research and development projects providing support to emerging technologies and it is hoped that this investment will deliver added value to the company’s energy business, Bord Gáis Energy, which will shortly be offered for sale as part of the State Assets Disposal Programme.
Any future funding by this company will be solely a matter for a potential future owner of Bord Gáis Energy.
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is taking forward Ireland’s overall Research and Development framework and in 2012 Ministers Bruton and Sherlock launched a national research prioritisation plan for Ireland to target the majority of the Government’s core €500 million budget that the State spends on scientific research every year on areas with the greatest potential for economic return. Research priorities that were identified for the energy sector include the area of smart grids/smart cities and the area of marine renewable energy.
131. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if moneys have been allocated within the Central Fund for the holding of a referendum on the expected Thirty Second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of the Seanad) Bill; if so, the total amount of money allocated and the anticipated cost of holding such a referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20173/13]
View answer133. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if moneys have been allocated within his Department’s Vote for the current year for the establishment of a Referendum Commission for the expected Thirty Second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of the Seanad) Bill; if so, the total amount of money which has been allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20171/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 133 together.
€2.1 million has been allocated in my Department's 2013 Vote for the establishment of a Referendum Commission on the abolition of the Seanad.
132. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach if the Secretary General of his Department, for the purpose of transparency and accountability, will publish his diary on the Department's website on a monthly basis. [19971/13]
View answerMy Department has committed in its Strategy Statement to undertake specific actions to promote transparency. To advance this, a programme of measures was recently initiated to promote transparency through the routine publication of information on a quarterly basis.
Information published on the Department's website to date includes details of foreign travel expenses in respect of the Taoiseach and Ministers of State at the Department, details of purchase orders in excess of €20,000, minutes of IFSC Clearing House Group, minutes of the Department’s Management Advisory Committee and a log of Freedom of Information requests. As part of this programme, the Department will also shortly publish the Secretary General’s diary on a quarterly basis subject to any necessary redactions for confidentiality reasons.
All of this information is being published on a regular basis in addition to the significant volume of material published in response to Parliamentary Questions and under Freeedom of Information, which includes details of all payments made by the Department and of the Secretary General's diary.
