Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

3. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on placing a moratorium on the construction of onshore wind farms until all other possible renewable energy avenues have been explored, including offshore wind farms, in order to respect the concerns of local communities affected by such large-scale development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10593/15]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This question arises from the major concern across the country about the potential proliferation of industrial wind farms throughout the midlands. In our county of Donegal, a proposal for a large wind farm is causing many problems. In light of recent developments, however, it is no longer necessary that wind be the only source of renewable energy. In order to allow alternatives to be developed, I am asking the Minister of State to consider placing a moratorium on future projects.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. A well-balanced fuel mix is essential to meeting these objectives for consumers and businesses. Onshore wind contributes significantly to achieving these objectives. A 2014 Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, report listed the benefits from wind electricity generation in 2012.

In summary, almost 600 kilotonnes oil equivalent of fossil fuels were displaced, valued at €180 million, with a consequent carbon dioxide saving of 1.5 million tonnes, valued at €11 million.

A report published by the Council for European Energy Regulators recently found Ireland to have one of the lowest levels of monetary support per unit of gross electricity produced. In other words, Ireland's approach to subsidising renewable electricity generation is amongst the most cost-effective in the EU.

As we make the transition to a low-carbon economy, we will continue to assess the alternative energy sources that are available to us, including offshore wind in the longer term. This was acknowledged in the Green Paper on Energy Policy, published in May 2014. More than 1,200 responses to the public consultation were received and 12 public seminars were held to enable public participation in the finalisation of a White Paper, which will be published in September.

It is essential that local communities are at the heart of the transition to a sustainable energy system. The Department is currently finalising a renewable electricity policy and development framework, which is to be underpinned by a strategic environmental assessment and an appropriate assessment. The proposed framework, which will be completed in 2015, will be a high-level strategic policy intended for the guidance of persons seeking development consent primarily for large-scale renewable electricity projects, as well as for the guidance of planning authorities, statutory authorities and the public. The next stage of public consultation will commence shortly with the publication of the scoping report. This work, along with a review of the existing wind energy guidelines currently being finalised by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, will set a clear framework for the development of renewable energy infrastructure into the future.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State says that we have a well-balanced fuel mix in terms of our energy supply. I would disagree with that. Our total renewable energy focus is on onshore wind. At the time the plan was developed, back in 2007 or so, wind was probably the only viable technology, but technology has moved on. Biomass has huge potential for meeting our renewable energy targets as well as for the creation of sustainable and renewable industry in rural Ireland. Ireland could be a leader in producing and delivering biomass.

The Minister of State says we have the lowest level of monetary support in the EU, but the investment of over €4.2 billion in upgrading the electricity infrastructure that is anticipated through Airtricity - solely to accommodate industrial wind farms - means that situation will change very quickly. We are already subventing wind farm operators by €90 million per year, while for a fraction of that investment we could generate a wood biomass industry. Simply converting Moneypoint to run off wood biomass would cost about €400 million per year but would meet our Kyoto and carbon dioxide reduction targets in one go. We need to look at this and we need a moratorium on onshore wind farms while we develop other alternatives.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am certainly on the same page as the Deputy as regards exploring all potential alternatives. A reliance on one source, especially onshore wind energy, as a single solution for sustainability is not the way forward. I recently met a company looking to invest in Donegal in tidal energy, which was fostering the community approach in order to get community buy-in from day one. In the Deputy's original question, he mentioned Donegal and the midlands. I do not need to speak on behalf of the companies. They know that mistakes were made in terms of pre-announcements. For example, in the midlands, companies were saying they would build 10,000 wind turbines, which put the community's back up straight away. There was no exploration of or conversation around community dividend or what the benefits to the local community would be.

Deputy Pringle and I know that wind farms contribute about €1.8 million per year to the rate base of Donegal County Council, but that does not mean we should continue to plough ahead in building more wind turbines that will affect and upset communities. We have to be very careful and strategic. That is why I am delighted there is going to be a strategic look at this. There will be a consultation coming up shortly and there will be a more critical appraisal of how we meet community needs as well as the need for industry.

We have to look offshore. Industry people say that it may be too expensive off the west coast of Ireland, but we have to look at the west coast and the east coast as well. There were company developments in respect of the Irish Sea, and negotiations were taking place on a bilateral basis between the UK and Ireland. That is parked up until about 2018 or 2020, but there are still opportunities for offshore energy. I will be encouraging the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy White, to include biomass as part of the mix in the context of the negotiations and consultations on energy.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While all these consultations are going on, the fact remains that the plans are there to develop 10,000 wind farms in the midlands, no matter how much the Minister of State does not say it. However much we try to get communities on board and so on, they are still going to be facing that prospect. We are still facing the prospect of having to invest €4.2 billion in electricity infrastructure simply to facilitate those wind farms, and that is the problem. Even if the communities accepted them and there was a dividend that put a few euro into the local community, we are still going to carry the cost of that. The €4.2 billion investment will be passed on to electricity consumers by Airtricity and the electricity companies. We have far better, more cost-effective options that can generate sustainable industries in rural Ireland as well. It would make far more sense to look at developing that rather than looking for ways to appease communities to get them to accept wind power.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

One cannot go to a community and say, "This is going to be the way, and you have to accept that." Mistakes were made on the part of private industry, but I am certainly not going to speak on its behalf. We have to learn from the mistakes that were made and bring communities with us. Communities have to be at the heart of the solution for sustainable rural economic models. That is why it is important that the Department of the Environment and Local Government is going to have a role in ensuring that the proper and thorough processes are adhered to so that we do not have communities feeling upset and disenfranchised in that they are not getting a dividend.

We have to look at all the alternative potential, be it tidal energy, offshore wind or the Deputy's own suggestions of biomass. We have to look at the complete mix. We are importing 100% of our oil and 95% of our gas - which will change in a few months' time - and we have such a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, particularly considering the percentage mix in the 2020 targets for renewable energy. I know the Minister, Deputy White, is on the same page as me in believing that communities have to be at the heart of the solution, in terms of ensuring it is acceptable to communities and that they feel part of the dividend as well.