Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2015
29. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will maximise opportunities for citizens to participate in the transition to a carbon-free future and for community involvement in renewable energy initiatives, as proposed in the forthcoming energy White Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16284/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the central themes in the Green Paper on Energy Policy, published in May 2014, is citizen empowerment. Since its publication my Department undertook a public consultation process which included: (i) analysis of over 1200 written submissions and (ii) a series of stakeholder seminars on the various priority areas in the Green Paper. The seminars covered various topics including empowering energy citizens and putting the energy system on a sustainable pathway. A recurring message coming from both the written submissions and the seminars was the role that community energy could play in our future energy systems. The views submitted are being considered in the formation of the new energy policy framework.
It is important to note the various community level initiatives currently supported by Government, including the development of community energy through the Better Energy Areas and Communities Programme which is administered on behalf of my department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The programme allows community and locally based organisations to apply for funding on a competitive basis to support sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings and facilities. It also promotes the creation and development of locally based entities that can engage and mobilise community resources to lower energy bills and boost local employment.
My Department is also preparing to publish a Draft Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework. The framework addresses the matter of community engagement and will be published for public consultation in the coming weeks. I look forward to receiving submissions which will be considered in the context of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, the Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive and the subsequent finalisation of the framework.
