Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 416: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if it is Government policy to support the view of the energy regulator on wind energy development; if he is aware that the largest wind energy company here has decided not to build any more wind farms; if he will allow a situation to develop whereby Ireland is the only country in Europe with no Government support for wind energy projects; the Government's views on the regulator's comments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1435/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have put out to consultation the recently expressed view of the Commission for Energy Regulation, which is an independent body under paragraph 9 in the Schedule to the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I am aware of reports that one company has decided to invest in other locations instead of this country for now. That is a commercial decision for the company.

It is important to optimise the contribution of wind energy based electricity to the national supply on a basis that is fair to all parties, including consumers, and so that it can be integrated safely and easily into the national network. After all, in the medium to longer term, it is important that the State reduces its dependency on non-renewable fuels, the prices of which are subject to the vagaries of the global markets and geopolitical developments which can adversely affect both the price and availability of supplies. From a national economic perspective, not just an energy policy perspective, increasing the amount of renewable energy in the system could be helpful in reducing costly fuel imports and dealing with the levels of uncertainty in future planning of energy prices.

To that end, the renewable energy development group was established on 6 May of last year. The group is chaired by a representative of my Department and comprises relevant experts from the administrative, industrial and scientific sector, including the Commission for Energy Regulation, Sustainable Energy Ireland, ESB national grid and the Economic and Social Research Institute, among others. The renewable energy industry is represented in the group through participation of members nominated by an industry sub-group.

The group will advise on future options, policies, targets, programmes and support measures to develop the increased use of renewable energy in the electricity market to 2010 and beyond. The group has received a broad range of views in the course of its deliberations, including direct presentations from the main industry representative associations as well as the Commission for Energy Regulation. All these views will be considered in the group's report, which is due shortly, and will form the basis of my future policy decisions on the increased penetration of renewable energy technologies in the electricity market.