Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Mar 1990

Vol. 397 No. 6

Written Answers. - Indigenous Energy Resources.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

24 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Energy the steps which have been taken to implement the commitment given in the Programme for Government to give particular priority to the maximum development of indigenous energy resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

The main potential for the development of our indigenous energy resources lies in the areas of peat and natural gas.

The Kinsale Head gas field contributes up to 17 per cent of primary energy requirements. BGE are laying emphasis on the supply to residential markets where the resource can be put to optimal use. The new Ballycotton gas field is expected to come on stream in late 1991 and will contribute extra amounts of gas over the following ten-11 years. Exploration work in our offshore is continuing with a view to discovering other fields of oil and gas.

Government policy in relation to Bord na Móna continues to be that the board should place their operations on a commercial footing with a view to ensuring the continued viability of the organisaton into the next century. My Department are working closely with Bord na Móna to ensure that policies being formulated at present will give the best possible outcome both from the viewpoint of the contribution peat can make to energy output and from the long term financial viewpoint as well. The recent decisions by the board on the restructuring and divisionalisation of the company are part of these developments.

It is also worth mentioning that the Turf Development Bill, 1988, which has currently reached Report Stage in this House, will greatly increase the flexibility of Bord na Móna in the carrying out of their functions and will provide a suitable basis for the future development of our peat resources.

There is also some scope, albeit smaller, for the development of indigenous hydro resources. The ESB are, with assistance from the EC Valoren Fund, currently constructing a 800 KW micro hydro station at Curramore Lough, County Cork. Further projects are planned under the scheme with a further increase in micro hydro capacity of 900 KW by the end of 1991.