Written Answers Nos. 20-26
20. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has considered developing district energy and community co-operative projects as part of developing our renewable energy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40408/14]
View answerA number of district energy schemes and community co-op projects, including those using energy from renewable sources, have been supported under the Better Energy Programme administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). These include district heating schemes in Tralee and Longford as well as the Aran Island Energy Co-Op, where the retrofit of homes and buildings on the Islands has been funded with the ambition of installing community wind turbines. Additionally, the European Union (Energy Efficiency) Regulations 2014 set out a range of requirements for the promotion of energy efficiency, including a requirement for the SEAI to undertake an assessment of the potential for the application of cost beneficial district heating and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in Ireland. The development of biomass-fuelled CHP and district heating, as well as improving energy efficiency, has the potential to contribute to our renewable energy targets. The comprehensive assessment is expected to be completed during 2015.
21. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate broadband connectivity service available in many parts of County Donegal; when he expects the telecommunications infrastructure in the county will be upgraded to provide adequate service for both households and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40394/14]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and business in Ireland. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas. Since publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector have accelerated with commercial operators investing, or committing to invest, approximately €2.5 billion in networks and services. As a consequence, it is expected that at least 1.6m of the 2.3m addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband services provided by the commercial market over the next number of years.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department, to identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial list has already been identified and includes 78 areas in County Donegal. I understand that at least one network operator has published a programme to roll out 59 fibre-based broadband networks in County Donegal by July 2016. In addition the recent announcement of a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone includes a proposal to provide high speed broadband in Letterkenny.
The State has previously intervened in the telecoms sector through the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme, by constructing nine networks in County Donegal. MANs networks were built in Ballyshannon, Buncrana, Bundoran, Cardonagh, Donegal Town, Gweedore, Letterkenny, Ballybofey and Stranorlar. These networks are all currently in use by telecoms operators, who are making telecoms services available to businesses and citizens in County Donegal.
As part of the mapping process, a stakeholder consultation was launched in June. 32 submissions have been received and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses were published by my Department earlier today.
I expect to publish the map shortly. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether it is in the proposed intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial high speed broadband services. The map will be subject to change as new information becomes available or commercial investments are announced in the future.
A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015. My Department is also working closely with the European Commission with a view to obtaining State Aid clearance for the programme.
A detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) towards the end of 2015.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland. Our goal is to ensure that quality broadband services are available to all citizens regardless of where they are located.
22. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views regarding the offshore renewable energy development plan and its implementation; his further views on the extent to which wind energy generated offshore will form part of overall energy requirements here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40364/14]
View answerThe overarching objective of the Government’s energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a binding target of having 16% of its final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to meeting this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy. The Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP), published earlier this year, is a key milestone in the development of our offshore energy potential. It sets out clearly the Government’s policy in relation to the sustainable development of this abundant resource.
The OREDP identifies the sustainable economic opportunity for Ireland in the period to 2030 of realising the potential of our indigenous offshore wind, wave and tidal energy resources. The Strategic Environmental Assessment found that 4,500 MW of offshore wind and 1,500 MW of wave and tidal generation could be sustainably developed in Irish waters.
A steering group, which draws on the support of relevant Government departments and agencies, will oversee the implementation of the OREDP via three work streams: (i) Environment, (ii) Infrastructure and (iii) Job Creation. The steering group, established in April this year, will report to me annually on progress.
Key implementation objectives include: the introduction of an ocean energy tariff in 2016; the development of the offshore energy supply chain; integration with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland clean tech strategies for investment and job creation; input to the new legislative regime for licensing in the marine area; and exploiting opportunities for international collaboration on device development and deployment.
Onshore wind energy has proved to be the most commercial wind generation technology in the Irish market and the predominant contributor to renewable electricity. This trend is likely to continue in the period to 2020. Analysis of options for increased use of renewable energy is ongoing, with a view to ensuring that our ambition in this area is sustainable, economical and technically feasible.
23. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the areas in County Donegal which have been identified by his Department as requiring State intervention in the provision of broadband as part of the mapping exercise which was carried out; when he expects the State to provide broadband to those areas identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40407/14]
View answerThrough the National Broadband Plan (NBP) the Government aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and at least 1.6m of the 2.3m addresses in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next number of years.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. My Department is currently finalising a national map which will identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial examination has already identified a significant number of areas that will require State intervention. It includes 78 areas in County Donegal.
As part of the mapping process, a stakeholder consultation was launched in June. 32 submissions have been received and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses were published by my Department earlier today.
I expect to publish the map shortly. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether it is in the proposed intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial high speed broadband services. The map will be subject to change as new information becomes available or commercial investments are announced in the future.
A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015. My Department is also working closely with the European Commission with a view to obtaining State Aid clearance for the programme.
A detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) towards the end of 2015.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland. Our goal is to ensure that quality broadband services are available to all citizens regardless of where they are located.
24. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources pending the completion of the national mapping exercise for the national broadband plan, if public meetings will be held on a regional basis so that householders and business owners will have an opportunity to find out if a home or business is in an area which will be covered by State investment and to receive information on his plans to bring high speed broadband to their locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40312/14]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) the Government aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and at least 1.6m of the 2.3m addresses in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next number of years.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. My Department is currently finalising a national map which will identify those areas that require a State intervention. As part of this process, a stakeholder consultation was launched in June. Non-commercially sensitive versions of the 32 responses received were published by my Department earlier today. In addition, officials in the Department have met extensively with operators and stakeholder groups in the last number of months.
I expect to publish the map shortly. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether it is in the proposed intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial high speed broadband services. The map will be the subject of public consultation over a number of months, allowing operators and citizens to comment, clarify and seek updates. In this respect, the map will be subject to change if new information comes to light or if commercial investments are announced in the future.
My Department's website will contain user-friendly information that will help deal with queries members of the public might have regarding the proposed State intervention. I also intend to set up a help desk where people can contact my Department directly with issues or questions relating to the Plan.
Engagement with stakeholder groups will continue throughout 2014 and 2015 as part of the ongoing strategy development process. A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015, before moving to the procurement phase.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland. Our goal is to ensure that quality broadband services are available to all citizens regardless of where they are located.
25. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department’s work to date in rolling out smart metering; and his views on the recent decision paper issued by the Commission for Energy Regulation on the high level design of smart metering. [40365/14]
View answerThe National Smart Metering Programme is a central component of the Government’s strategy to enhance management of energy demand, deliver smart networks and enable greater energy efficiency. It is also aligned with EU obligations on Member States under the Energy Efficiency Directive to progress smart metering. Under the European Union (Energy Efficiency Regulations) 2014 the roll-out of smart meters is a function of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). A major programme of technology and user trials showed that a national rollout of smart meters would be likely to lead to overall reductions in electricity and gas consumption and a reduction in peak-time electricity consumption of over 8%. Following the successful completion of these trials by the CER a decision to proceed to the design of the National Smart Metering Programme was taken in 2012.
On the 14 October 2014 the CER published its decision on the High Level Design for the National Smart Metering Programme. The decision addresses four key areas of core design, Time of Use tariffs, the presentation of energy usage information and how Pay-As-You-Go processes will operate when gas and electricity smart meters have been installed. Cost and benefits will continue to be monitored at critical programme milestones.
I welcome the ongoing progress on this important project.
26. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if support schemes exist to assist with the introduction of energy efficient heating sources such as wood pellet burning and biomass fuels; if such schemes will be examined with a view to introducing such energy efficient means into the stock of public buildings across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40311/14]
View answerI recently published a Draft Bioenergy Plan which is available on my Department’s website (www.dcenr.gov.ie). The draft Plan will undergo Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments, including public consultation, which will inform the content of the finalised Plan. These assessment processes will commence shortly. Analysis underpinning the draft Plan is that an additional bioenergy-focused measure in the heat sector would represent the most cost effective means of meeting a number of different policy goals. Therefore, the draft Plan recommends the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for larger heat users to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources including wood pellets and other biomass. The RHI scheme, once designed, will require State Aid approval from the European Commission and further Government approval. It is proposed to have the scheme in place in 2016.
The draft Plan also proposes that the Bioenergy Steering Group, which would be established to coordinate the implementation of the draft Plan, would explore the potential for economically feasible green procurement opportunities including, for example, public buildings converting to bioenergy heat supply contracts.
The uptake of renewable heat is also supported through Part L of the Building Regulations. Furthermore, the planned reviews of these regulations, for buildings other than dwellings, to achieve Nearly Zero Energy Buildings status, are also expected to result in increasing the uptake of renewable heat from a range of sources including biomass.
The Better Energy Homes scheme does not provide grant support for biomass heating systems. The scheme provides grants towards improving the energy efficiency of residential heating through upgrades of boilers, heating control upgrades and the installation of solar heating.
