John Gormley
Ceist:142 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on the potential for electricity generation from indigenous peat supplies in the medium term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19179/98]
Written Answers. - Electricity Generation.
The future role of peat in electricity generation in Ireland was examined by a group — the Peat Review Group — established in August, 1993. The group comprised representatives of the Department, ESB and Bord na Móna. The group reported in February 1995. The optimum scenario identified in the report, which was accepted by the boards of ESB and Bord na Móna, comprised: (1) the closure of a number of the older inefficient units in the existing stations; (2) a refurbishment programme by ESB in other plant and the development of the new 120MW peat station in the east midlands.
The refurbishment programme for the existing stations coupled with the commissioning of the new 120MW station represents a long-term strategic approach to ensure the continued use of peat in electricity generation. It also maximises long-term employment in peat production and electricity generation in the midlands.
The ESB currently consumes approximately 3 million tonnes of milled peat for electricity generation. This is expected to rise to around 3.9 million tonnes for a short period in the early years of the next decade when the new 120MW peat plant at Edenderry comes on stream, falling back thereafter to around 2.7 million tonnes by 2005 and to 2.2 million tonnes by 2010 as existing older peat generating units are retired.
In the longer term, the volume of peat used in electricity generation is expected to decline progressively to around 1.3 million tonnes by 2023.
This overall progressive reduction in peat consumption tonnages was reflected in a memorandum of understanding between the Minister and the EU Commission in relation to the EU grant for the new peat fired power station. The Commission had been concerned that the new station might lead to an increase in CO 2 emissions from the peat sector.
John Gormley
Ceist:143 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to make provision in order that individual domestic electricity consumers as well as businesses and industries will have the freedom to choose to consume electricity sourced from renewable resources including wind, hydro, wave and solar in framing new legislation arising from the EU electricity directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19180/98]
It is my intention that the Bill currently being drafted to establish an independent Regulatory Commission to oversee the electricity sector will include a provision enabling third party access to the electricity network to be allowed for renewable generators who wish to sell green electricity directly to electricity consumers.
I envisage that this provision will be brought into effect once the detailed practical arrangements, including trading arrangements, for the opening of the market in accordance with the EU Electricity Directive, have been developed and implemented.