Brendan Howlin
Ceist:39 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Energy if he will give details of the expenditure in 1991 on renewable energy research; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Renewable Energy Research Expenditure.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:72 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the money intended to be spent by his Department in 1992 on research into the development of alternative energy sources, including solar and wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 72 together.
While considerable sums of money have been expended by my Department in recent years in the promotion of research and development in the area of renewable energy, for the years 1991 and 1992 it has not been possible for my Department to allocate any resources to this form of research due to budgetary constraints.
However, funds are available for research, development and demonstration in a number of areas including renewable energies under the European Community's "JOULE" and "THERMIE" programmes. As these are Community programmes, the level of financial support secured by Irish projects depends on the total funds available and on the quality of the projects put forward.
Among the 13 Irish projects approved so far under the "THERMIE" programme, one concerns a small hydro development with a total investment of approximately £2.2 million. Under the "JOULE" programme, 15 Irish projects in the renewables area were approved by the EC Commission in 1990 and 1991, covering biomass, solar energy, wave energy and wind energy. The total value of these projects is estimated at about £780,000.
Projects undertaken by companies and institutions under the "JOULE" and "THERMIE" programmes normally run for about three years with the EC grant money being disbursed in phases as work progresses. It is, therefore, not possible for me to say how much is expended on these projects in any particular year.
The ESB spent £150,000 on its renewable research programme in 1991 and has a budget for 1992 of £120,000.