Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Mar 1999

Vol. 503 No. 1

Written Answers. - Energy Needs.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

80 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which energy needs are being met by way of electricity or alternative energy sources; if adequate examination has been given to future needs in this area; the proposals, if any, she has to meet these demands in view of the current rate of industrial expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9413/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

Total final consumption, TFC, of the various sources of energy for 1997, the latest year for which figures are available, expressed in thousands of tonnes of oil equivalent, KTOE, was as follows:

	KTOE	% share
1. Coal	544	6
2. Peat	361	4
3. Peat briquettes	112	1
4. Oil	5,323	61
5. Natural gas	865	10
6. Renewables	139	2
7. Electricity	1,443	16
Total	8,787	100

Under a business as usual scenario and taking account of forecasted economic growth, total final consumption is expected to increase by 39 per cent to 12,196 KTOE in 2010.

The business as usual forecast will be influenced by two major developments in the energy sector. Growth in energy demand will be constrained by limitations on greenhouse gas emissions established for Ireland under the Kyoto Protocol. Moreover, energy liberalisation will also affect the current approach to security of supply of gas and electricity. The effect of the Kyoto Protocol on the energy sector will become clearer following the publication of the greenhouse gas abatement strategy by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, who has the lead role in this matter.

Liberalisation of the electricity and gas markets will necessitate new arrangements to ensure security of supply for consumers. As a result of the changing role of the ESB, the transmission systems operator will have the ultimate duty to ensure that there is sufficient capacity in the electricity system to meet consumer needs.

The use of alternative energy in electricity production is already being strongly supported under my current policies. I propose to further elaborate my policies in this area when I publish my Green Paper on Sustainable Energy in the near future.

The protection of the future needs of gas consumers will be addressed when the legislation to implement the EU directive concerning the common rules for the Internal Market in natural gas is published. A study to assess natural gas demand and related infrastructural requirements to the year 2025 has been commissioned by the Department and BGE. As to the demand for fossil fuels such as oil, coal and peat there is no particular concern about security of supply. Over time, it is envisaged that coal and peat used for domestic purposes will be substituted by convenience fuels such as gas and oil. Furthermore, in the power sector there will be increased reliance on natural gas and renewable sources of energy.