asked the Minister for Energy the up-to-date position on the monitoring of five small scale hydro-electric demonstration schemes which are in operation.
Written Answers. - Hydro-electric Demonstration Schemes.
505.
Monitoring at four small scale hydro schemes sited at Castletown, County Laois, Ballina, County Mayo, Ardagh, County Limerick and Dunmanway, County Cork, commenced on 1 September 1984. It was intended that this work would be carried out from an earlier date but, because of the exceptionally dry spring and summer, it was not possible to do so.
A fifth scheme at Mount Melleray is posing a problem with regard to monitoring because it is a mechanical installation with no electrical output but a solution for this is now being sought.
506.
asked the Minister for Energy if all sites for the establishment of small scale hydro-electric schemes in this country have been catalogued and the efforts which will be made by his Department to have the potential of these schemes established.
Over the past three years, a hydro-electric resource survey has been carried out on behalf of my Department and all sites with potential capacity of ten kw and greater which are considered suitable for hydro development have been identified. The survey was carried out by the Electricity Supply Board, who had responsibility for site assessment, and An Foras Forbartha, who carried out the hydrological analysis.
A report on the findings of the survey is now being prepared and it is expected that it will be completed early next year by the National Board for Science and Technology. Following examination of the report within my Department, I intend to have it published in the expectation that the survey information will encourage further development of this energy source.