Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 May 2014
122. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the status of the Green Paper on energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19936/14]
View answerMy Department is finalising an Energy Policy Green Paper which identifies issues that need to be considered in the development of Ireland’s energy policy to meet current and future challenges. Competitiveness, security of supply, and sustainability, as well as energy policy’s potential to support economic growth and job creation, will be the key pillars of the Green Paper which I expect to publish next week.
The energy policy landscape has undergone considerable change since the Energy Policy White Paper was published in 2007. The Green Paper provides a useful overview of the very significant developments that have taken place since then including billions of euro of investment in generation, transmission, distribution, supply, energy efficiency, renewable energy and new technologies. Other important developments including retail market competition, the Single Electricity Market, the development and commissioning of the East West Interconnector, renewable energy investment initiatives, energy efficiency incentives, and key policy documents are also referenced in order to set the scene for public consultation. The paper also points to developments at EU and international level that are having a direct impact on the Irish energy landscape.
The Green Paper sets out six energy policy priorities as follows:
- Empowering Energy Citizens;
- Markets and Regulation;
- Planning and Implementing Essential Energy Infrastructure;
- Ensuring a Balanced and Secure Energy Mix;
- Putting the Energy System on a Sustainable Pathway; and
- Driving Economic Opportunity.
There will be a full public consultation process on the Green Paper during which interested parties will be invited to submit their views which will form a key imput to the development of a new Energy Policy Framework in the form of a White Paper. It is my intention to publish the Energy White Paper around the end of this year.
