Written Answers - Environmental Policy.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:
181
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
his policy in relation to encouraging the use of renewable energy; the amount of funding the Government is providing for the support of non-renewable energy sources; the amount of funding the Government is providing for the support of renewable energy sources; and the strategy in place to encourage the switch to renewable energy.
[5868/03]
The promotion of renewable energy technologies is an established key priority of the Government. The policy is elaborated in both the Green Paper on sustainable energy and the national climate change strategy.
Under the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme within the framework of the national development plan, I plan to invest approximately €223 million in energy conservation including €67 million allocated for alternative and renewable energy. The investments could, in certain circumstances, involve support to encourage greater efficiency in the consumption of non-renewable energy. However, there is no Exchequer funding provided to non-renewable energy suppliers.
My Department also operates an alternative energy requirement programme, AER, to support the building of new renewable energy based electricity generating stations. Under this programme selected projects are offered guaranteed power purchase contracts with the ESB for 15 years. These guaranteed contracts reassure investors and allow developers to source investment finance which would not otherwise by available. My immediate target is to add an additional 500 MW of renewables-based electricity generating capacity to the electricity network by 2005. The Deputy will be aware that just yesterday I announced the sixth alternative energy requirement competition, AER VI, which will offer support to 578 MW of new renewable energy projects in a range of renewable technologies to be built between now and the end of 2005.
In addition, the establishment of Sustainable Energy Ireland as an independent non-commercial State body focused exclusively on the sustainable use of energy including deployment of renewable energy sources is an indication of Government resolve to see sustainable energy policies implemented. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, has already commenced a challenging work programme to increase energy efficiency and to promote renewable energy technologies. In the renewable energy field specifically, SEI has opened a research, development and demonstration programme for renewable energy technologies with a headline fund of €16.25 million to 2006. The programme is open to a wide range of proposals including policy studies, field research, feasibility studies and technology research and development. Further information on this programme is available directly from Sustainable Energy Ireland.
I am satisfied the AER VI announcement and the work programme of the SEI will see significant growth in renewable energy projects in the short-term. I have already stated that I will engage in a public consultation programme on all issues facing the renewable energy sector in 2003. This will provide all interested parties with the opportunity to make submissions on all topical issues including the strengths and weaknesses of the current support system for renewables, the merits of alternative support systems and the setting of fresh targets to 2010 and beyond.
