Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

Those who think we can meet all our energy needs from the wind or want to connect 20,000 MW of wind to the system should cop themselves on a bit. A balance must be kept.

Deputy Boyle referred to the new renewable energy feed in tariff, REFIT, programme, which was launched recently. This programme will assist developers to construct new renewable energy powered generating projects. The programme, which will cost approximately €120 million over 15 years, will ensure the viability of these projects by offering 15-year contracts to developers.

While wind projects will contribute the bulk of any new energy sourced, I want to emphasise the programme is also available to projects based on the use of biomass, hydro-power and landfill gas emissions. This represents a major step by the Government in delivering on Ireland's commitments under the Kyoto agreement. It is a good beginning and we will reach and exceed our targets. However, we must be much more ambitious. Given that this programme is a direct response to market demand for a move away from competitive tendering, I encourage project developers to seize this opportunity, and deliver projects quickly. Some earlier schemes did not deliver as quickly as we wanted.

On the wider issue of renewable sources of energy, Deputies Broughan, McEntee, Neville, Crowe, Finian McGrath, Catherine Murphy, Coveney, Connolly, Cassidy and Mulcahy stressed the potential of renewable sources of energy. The renewables directive obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2%, or 1,450 MW, of total consumption by 2010. As I already stated, we will meet this target.

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