Vol. 405 No. 8
6 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Energy if he has received and studied the recently published Earthwatch report on renewable energy; and if he intends to take any action on the recommendations which are contained in the report.
25 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Energy if he will list the programmes, if any, he has for developing renewable energy sources.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 25 together.
I have received the Earthwatch report referred to, and it has been examined in my Department. Its recommendations will be borne in mind in the context of further potential developments in the area of renewable energy and conservation.
With regard to my Department's policy on the development of renewable energy resources, I would refer the Deputies to my reply to a similar question from Deputy Pearse Wyse on 30 January 1991. My Department's policy is to monitor developments in the new and renewables field, both in Ireland and abroad, and to support their introduction in Ireland where technically and economically feasible.
The two alternative sources of energy which are generally recognised as having the greatest potential are hydro and wind. With regard to hydroelectricity, most of the technical potential for this has already been developed in Ireland, and development of the remaining potential will depend largely on changing economic and environmental conditions. With regard to wind power, I invited proposals for Ireland's first wind farm development to be submitted to me late last year. The proposals received are currently being examined by an assessment team in my Department, and I expect to have their recommendation shortly. Up to £3.9 million will be available for this project under the EC's Valoren programme.
The potential for commercial development of other forms of renewable energy is at this stage less certain than in the case of hydro and wind energy. Considerable further research is needed to improve technical reliability and reduce costs. Research continues to be carried out in Ireland, mostly under EC programmes, by State sector companies and by the private sector. My Department monitor this activity and similar activities which are carried out in other countries.
In view of the fact that we have just seen a six week war over oil and that a growing body of opinion favours energy conservation and the development of renewable sources of energy as an alternative to oil, can the Minister explain how it is that the provision for energy conservation in 1991 is being reduced by 28 per cent and that in fact there is no provision for the development of renewable energy? Does this not indicate that the Government are not serious about developing the renewable energy option?
I do not think the Deputy has been listening to my reply. I have initiated a programme which I hope will result in the establishment of Ireland's first wind farm at a site in County Mayo. The arrangements in relation to that have been well publicised. The invitation for tenders was by way of public advertisement in which a huge number of people showed an interest. A large number of actual proposals were received and the assessment team in my Department are working on them and will shortly be making a recommendation to me. Rather than look at the sum of money provided in the Estimates for conservation the Deputy should take a broader look at things I can do as Minister for Energy which will have a major impact in establishing alternative sources of renewable energies here. Wind offers a very good prospect for this country. I am hopeful that the result of the public advertisement will enable a contract to be entered into and work to commence for the building of this major wind farm. This is a very significant development.
The Minister in an earlier reply indicated that there is a huge problem nationally in getting people either to appreciate the need for conservation or the allied question of finding other sources of energy, particularly renewable ones. Does the Minister not accept, therefore, that an enormous responsibility rests with his Department, if there is to be any movement or any drive in this area? It is clear that he is pointing to a single project but that is only a drop in the ocean compared with what is required. What targets has he set? Does he plan to reach the EC objective of 5 per cent of our national energy to be supplied from this sector by 1995? What are the Minister's plans for the wind farm and will it be the first of many?
I am taking initiatives where in the past nobody took an initiative and still the Deputy seeks to deride the steps and the measures that are being undertaken, so I presume that I will never satisfy what the Deputy wishes me to achieve. I am explaining every possible option available to us to establish alternatives to using fossil fuels in this country. The progress made is reasonably satisfactory, and I am hopeful of further improvements being made. I do not have any fixed targets as such. I have to establish the potential for alternatives and how I can achieve them. Some years ago an investigation was carried out into hydroelectricity but other obstacles came in the way so that little progress was made in that area. There are environmental considerations which have to be taken into account which were not a factor some years ago. That is something that has interfered with the programme to expand the hydro-electrical network in Ireland. The cost factor in relation to many of the renewable energy sources that have been identified makes them uneconomic at present. The report which has been referred to here does not deal, to any great extent, with the cost or economic aspect of some of the proposals but merely identifies possible sources of energy through this form. That aspect has to be taken into account in determining national policy.
While commending the Minister for what he is now doing in regard to the development and encouragement of wind farms, I think it is true that we have done little or nothing in this country despite our dependence on imported energy sources. While we may not have any great potential for energy from the sun, we certainly have more than enough from both wind and wave not to mention biomass. I should like to ask the Minister whether there is any intention in his Department to initiate experimental or pilot projects or to continue the research which was operating in Cork University on wave development? Biomass is not being followed up. The third, which I think has the greatest potential of all from a renewable energy point of view, is the Elsbett engine which is being flogged around this country without very much notice being taken of it. It is perhaps the most farreaching——
May I appeal for brevity as a number of Deputies are offering?
——for a long time. This is an important issue, and now that the little squabble in the Gulf has been resolved somewhat, can the Minister give the House an assurance, with the help of EC funding, that a serious effort will be made by way of research on biomass——
The question is overlong.
——wave energy and the Elsbett engine run on renewable vegetable oil which we can produce in this country?
Charlie McDonald's motor car.
In relation to wave energy, solar energy or biomass, research and demonstrations have taken place in these areas and often with European Community support. The potential for commercial development appears to be less certain than in the case of hydro or wind energy. Considerable further research is needed to improve technical reliability and to reduce costs. Research in these areas is carried out under schemes that are supported by the Community. I am anxious to harness any of these sources if it can be done within reasonable cost levels, but unfortunately with many of the alternative energy sources the cost of the technology is such that they are not economically viable. Worldwide research is taking place and the results are available to us. When the opportunity presents itself I will be very anxious to avail of it here.
Can I dissuade Members from the notion that they may debate the matter now?
Can the Minister have another look at the hydro power position in relation to small private producers who receive an inadequate price from the Electricity Supply Board? This matter should be examined.
I am glad the Deputy raised that point because I have arranged to have that matter considered. A special study is being carried out within the Department in co-operation with the ESB. I am anxious to establish a formula which will be the basis for payment to hydro-electricity plant owners for electricity which they may sell to the ESB. That work has advanced and I expect to be in a position to make some decision on the matter in the near future.
In relation to the Minister almost dismissing the wave energy option, is he aware that the head of the UK renewable energy programme — who is an Irishman — has identified locations in County Donegal where it would be economically possible to develop wave energy and has his Department given any consideration to that possibility?
I have been in touch with the professor in charge of the department in Queen's University who are carrying out an experiment on the Isle of Islay off Scotland. I have indicated my desire to have a look at the work they are doing. He has indicated to me that the time is not yet opportune even to go and look at the results of the work there. If the Deputy or anybody else has information on research which is at a more advanced stage and which would be beneficial to this country or would lead to the establishment of an energy source which had sound economics attached to it, I would be very happy to look at it.
I want to bring this question to finality. We have dwelt over long on it to the detriment of all other questions. Deputy Mary Flaherty, and a final question from Deputy Pattison.
I welcome the assurance given by the Minister to Deputy Garland that the proper price will be paid by the ESB to small producers for their hydro power. I will be pursuing this issue with the Minister later.
Has the Minister considered taking a jaunt with our colleague, Senator McDonald, in his automobile which is fuelled by various vegetable oils? Does he consider rape seed oil as a real runner, if he will pardon the pun in this respect?
I have no information on the Senator's enterprise with me.
He has been in touch with the IDA.
I have read about it in the newspapers.
Deputy Pattison for a final question.
I want to reply to the question the Minister asked about any other places he could visit. I suggest to the Minister that he should visit Denmark where advances have been made in the use of wind and biomass energy. The Minister would learn a lot——
The Deputy is imparting information rather than seeking it. Let us proceed to another question.
One of the proposals under consideration in the Department relates to Danish technology.
