Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 2

Written Answers. - Alternative Energy Production.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

66 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on whether sites with moderate wind speeds of eight metres per second will need to be used if the green paper targets of 500MW are to be achieved; if so, if the price to be offered in AER V will allow such sites to be financed and made a reality; her further views on whether a price of approximately 4p for this indigenous power source would be needed and would be average to low by European standards; and her views on whether a capacity of at least 50% of this 500MW should be accommodated within the AER V scheme if AER V is to make a realistic contribution to the Green Paper target. [10315/01]

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

Earlier this year, my Department invited representative bodies involved in the renewable energy market to submit proposals on an appropriate pricing structure for AER V. Their responses are currently being examined within my Department.

It is my intention to announce the terms and conditions for the AER V programme shortly. This will include the pricing structures for both large scale and small scale projects. This will be done as soon as possible after consultations with the European Commission on compliance with Community law have been concluded.

The AER V competitive process will be in respect of approximate 240MW of renewable energy based electricity generating capacity.