Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 19 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 4

Written Answers. - Electricity Generation.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

41 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will investigate measures to increase the nation's output of electricity from natural resources in view of the critical situation on the world's oil market in recent times. [22140/00]

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

67 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will expedite schemes for the production of energy from natural resources such as wind farms, wave energy and small hydro-electric schemes in view of the dangers to the economy brought about by high oil prices and uncertainty of supply. [22131/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 67 together.

The Government is committed to the accelerated deployment of renewable energy technologies, particularly in the field of electricity production.

In September 1999, I set a revised target of an additional 500 MW of renewable energy-based electricity generating plant to be delivered by 2005.

In addition, the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, removed any legal impediment to independent participation in generating and selling green electricity. Consequently, it is now open to the private sector to grow the market beyond the ambitious minimum target I have set.

More recently, I established a renewable energy strategy group to consider the obstacles to the increased deployment of the wind energy technology which is the most competitive of renewable energy-based electricity production methods at this time. The group's report, including recommendations on investing funds secured by me under the national development plan for renewables, has been published and is being considered by my Department.

The strategy group has also recommended the continuation of special support measures for renewable energy. As this may constitute State aid under community law, it will be necessary to notify proposals to the European Commission for clearance. The preliminary steps in this regard have already commenced. I am most anxious that this procedure be concluded as quickly as possible so that I can submit proposals to Government and publish a detailed policy quickly.