Enda Kenny
Ceist:161 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if it is proposed to give any financial support for offshore wind energy proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12476/01]
Written Answers - Electricity Generation.
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:162 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the financial support she will provide for the development of offshore wind energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11435/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.
In July last, my colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Fahey, approved policy proposals for the investigation of sites for renewable energy based electricity generating stations in our offshore waters. I am informed there are four companies with licences to investigate the suitability of seven sites offshore for the construction of wind parks to generate electricity.
There is up to £43 million provided in the national development plan to support renewable energy technologies generally. Any support measure specific to offshore development will require prior clearance by the European Commission under state aid rules. A standard condition of state aid applications is the submission of data on eligible costs and levels of aid intensity. This data can only be estimated under reasonable assumptions after the current exploratory works are concluded.
I will discuss appropriate support measures with the industry with a view to submitting a proportionate support mechanism to the European Commission for clearance under state aids rules as soon as objective data from the exploratory works now under way is available.