Vol. 499 No. 1
219 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to reports that Ireland's potential for wind gener ated energy is estimated at 28, five times the national grid, and would represent a substantial source of export revenue; the plans, if any, she has to encourage the use of wind power in view of these estimates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1518/99]
A report Total Renewable Energy Resource in Ireland prepared jointly by ESB International and ETSU under the European Union's ALTENER Programme calculates, under certain assumptions, a potential wind energy resource of the order of magnitude suggested.
The Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium contains a commitment to publish a Green Paper on environmentally-sustainable energy sources, including wind energy. The Green Paper, which I will publish shortly, will outline targets and arrangements for the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources, including wind energy, for the next decade.
In addition, the Electricity Regulations Bill, 1998, which was published last December includes an enabling provision to authorise the sale of renewable energy sourced electricity directly to the public.
