Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I must get the balance right in that regard. Solar will be a part of that mix.

Deputy Dooley is right, in that one of our main problems to date has been how we have effectively put all of our eggs in one basket, that being, onshore wind. There needs to be a broader suite of supports - solar, hydro, biomass and offshore wind. One of my first decisions as Minister and one of my first actions at the Council of Ministers was to sign an agreement with seven EU member states on developing our offshore capacity. Ireland's capacity is considerable and we are putting funding towards it. Subject to Government approval and state aid rules, I intend to put additional supports in place for offshore wind energy. Limited to 30 MW, there would be a payment of €260 per MW/h for wave and tidal generation to incentivise the sector and get it up and running. This will be on top of the €26.3 million that the Department set aside for the sector during the 2013-16 period.

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