Noel Treacy
Ceist:24 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the measures, if any, to be implemented in 1995 for both energy saving and efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3769/95]
Written Answers - Energy Saving and Efficiency.
The first major initiative of 1995 in the energy conservation area was the completion of a memorandum of understanding with Forbairt to formally launch the new Irish Energy Centre.
The centre has a budget of approximately £21 million up to 1999. The allocation for 1995 is £3 million, and the following are the principal measures which will be implemented by the centre during the year. The first grants under two grant schemes launched in late 1994 will be paid. The first of these schemes is the energy audit grant scheme, under which grants of up to 40 per cent are available to energy users in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors towards the cost of energy audits. The allocation for this activity in 1995 is £150,000.
The second grant scheme is the energy efficiency investment support scheme. This provides grant assistance of up to 40 per cent of the cost of implementing the recommendation of audits. Additionally, call for tenders in respect of targeted energy efficient technologies will issue under the scheme — the successful tenders will be grant-aided.Already in 1995, calls for tenders in respect of two targeted technologies have issued and further calls are planned at various points during the year. £730,000 has been allocated for this activity in 1995.
In addition, the centre will provide technical advice and support to industrial and commercial companies and launch numerous promotional activities. The Irish Energy Centre will be organised on a regional basis and advertisements were placed in the national press on 11 February 1995, inviting proposals for regionally based bodies to provide national services for the Irish Energy Centre in the areas of renewable energies and professional training in energy conservation and efficiency.