Vol. 550 No. 4
496 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures he intends to put in place to deal with barriers to the development of rural and local community-based wind farms and specifically those articulated by Meitheal na Gaoithe, such as planning barriers. [8584/02]
I established the renewable energy strategy group in November 1999 to consider the obstacles that could impede the further development of our wind energy resources.
In its report, Strategy for Intensifying Wind Energy Deployment, the strategy group recommended, among other things, that a small-scale wind energy category should continue to be supported under my Department's alternative energy requirement programme. This is the typical project promoted by Meitheal na Gaoithe.
In AER V, I reduced the upper project size for the small-scale wind energy category from five megawatts to three megawatts and I prohibited anybody with an interest in larger scale projects from availing of the higher prices offered in the small scale category. This has allowed bona fide small scale developers to enter the competition with a reasonable expectation of success.
I announced the results of AER V in February of this year. I am delighted to say that some 19 projects were successful in the small sale wind energy category. This represents a total installed capacity of some 36 megawatts with projects ranging in size from 0.65 MW to 3 MW installed capacity. The successful applicants, including local companies, community groups, farmers, and individuals, have been informed that their projects have been selected to receive a conditional offer of a contract to supply green electricity to the ESB.
I have already announced my intention to move to the next support measure for renewables, AER VI, in the coming months. I will consult with the various industry representative associations with regard to the terms and conditions of this scheme, including continued support for a small-scale wind energy category in the competition.
