Gerard Murphy
Ceist:681 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of the programme he has put in place to replace AER VI. [21285/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 29 September 2004
Ceisteanna (500, 501)
Freagraí scríofa
Matters relating to AER VI are still ongoing. Just recently I received notification from the EU Commission that state aids clearance had been granted for the 50 MW and 28 MW in the offshore and biomass CHP categories respectively, and also for the additional 140 MW I announced due to the overwhelming interest in the competition. This capacity will be distributed in accordance with the AER VI terms and conditions.
In May of this year I set up the renewable energy development group. This group is chaired by my Department and includes representatives from the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, ESB National Grid and the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, among others. The renewable energy industry will also be represented in the group.
The group is to focus on a number of key issues including appropriate market mechanism for renewables electricity generation; renewables directive target including cost implications; grid upgrade programme for renewables; net metering; renewable energy consultation process; and research demonstration and development of renewable energy technologies, including technologies other than wind.
I have requested the group to report on an ongoing basis on its deliberations and not wait until the end of the process before acting on the issues raised. Any future programme to follow on from the AER VI competitions will be based on the recommendations of the group. The first report is due before the end of the year.
Gerard Murphy
Ceist:682 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he hopes to have resolved the problem which private wind farms have in connecting to the ESB grid. [21286/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters relating to grid connections fall within the remit of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER.