Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
430. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the process surrounding Bord Na Móna's market soundings from May 2013 pertaining to the development of a clean energy hub; the number of submissions received; who the submitters were; and the result of these submissions. [19118/14]
View answer431. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Bord Na Móna will have any further role in the development of a clean energy hub. [19119/14]
View answer432. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Bord Na Móna is continuing to explore other export markets and the impact this will have on the economy both locally and nationally [19120/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 430 to 432, inclusive, together.
The process undertaken by Bord na Móna to explore the possibility of collaborating with market participants in relation to wind energy export from Ireland to Great Britain was an operational matter for the company and not one in which I, as Minister, had or have a function. Bord na Móna has extensive landholdings throughout the midland counties of Ireland. The peat resource on many of these areas is already fully depleted. The landholdings have potential for other alternative developments. Bord na Móna has, to-date, carried out considerable work in identifying and assessing those parts of its landholding that are most suitable for use in renewable energy developments, such as large scale wind farms. Following the recent announcement that the delivery by 2020 of a Midlands Wind Export project is not now a realistic proposition, Bord na Móna has confirmed that in the absence of an Inter Governmental Agreement between the Irish and British Governments it will not continue to develop its Clean Energy Hub project as envisaged at this point in time. However, the company will continue to assess the most advantageous options for the development of its significant renewable potential, whether for the domestic or possible future export markets. Bord na Móna, through its wind energy portfolio, including the Mount Lucas windfarm and its sister project at Bruckana, will play a critical role in contributing towards the achievement of Ireland's 2020 target of 40% of electricity from renewable sources.
