Written answers

Tuesday, 4 October 2005

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Alternative Energy Projects

9:00 pm

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

Question 327: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the existing or planned incentives to individual householders to install renewable energy such as solar, PVs and micro turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26386/05]

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

Sustainable Energy Ireland, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements a wide variety of programmes on energy efficiency and renewable energy on behalf of my Department. Under SEI's house of tomorrow research, development and demonstration programme, or HOT, financial support is directed at encouraging developers of housing, both new-build and refurbishment, to incorporate design and technology features which deliver significantly superior energy and CO2 performance. By targeting developers of schemes of houses, from the private or social housing sectors, the aim has been to establish over a number of years a nationwide network of accessible examples of more sustainable energy design and technology practices. With the accompaniment of other promotional measures by SEI, this is intended to encourage a sufficient degree of market replication, without subsidy, to elevate energy performance standards across the wider housing stock. This targeted approach is also designed to be an administratively efficient method for deployment of public moneys.

To date the programme has committed over €9 million funding to 48 projects comprising a total 2,269 housing units. All feature an integrated approach to design, orientation, building fabric and energy supply and use that achieves performance of at least 20% better than current building regulations and, in the majority of projects, 40% better. The sustainable energy features across the range of projects funded include solar hot water systems, ground source heat pumps, condensing boilers, group heating schemes and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery along with higher levels of insulation. The programme has been directed at suppliers and developers of housing, rather than individual householders. There have been two main reasons for this. House of tomorrow is a research and development support scheme, not a home improvement grants scheme. It is seeking projects of sufficient scale and impact to influence wide application of the practices and technologies demonstrated. An effective way to achieve this is by means of clusters of homes, which will provide regionally visible and accessible examples and which can be replicated. Overall, integrated developments are encouraged.

A key need in moving towards more energy efficient planning and construction practices in Irish homes is to develop the necessary awareness and capability within the construction industry. SEI, through its consumer awareness programmes, seeks to increase the demand for energy efficiency amongst homeowners and occupants. House of tomorrow, as a research, development and demonstration programme, supports the development and demonstration of capability in the industry to deliver higher quality energy efficient homes to meet such a demand. The aim is to increase standards and practices across the industry as a whole.

Regular reviews are conducted on all SEI's funding programmes. Factors entering into any consideration of an individual grant scheme include the establishment of consumer product standards, supplier capability and installation quality assurance systems appropriate to consumer markets. This is in addition to the core requirements of energy and CO2 saving impact, market impact potential, administrative efficiency and ultimately, value for money for the taxpayer. Funding for SEI is determined on an annual basis. SEI submits a proposed work programme for the coming year along with a budget for each of its programmes, such as the house of tomorrow programme, to my Department. Any increase in funding required for these programmes would have budgetary implications and could only be considered in the light of the overall budgetary requirements of SEI and the level of funding available to my Department.

That being said, I am keen to see a wider take up of energy-efficient technology in design, building and use of homes. While many of the measures involved are self-financing, with payback periods of as little as two or three years, I am looking at what might be needed to improve the rate of take-up and use. Increasing the energy efficiency of our building stock reduces our energy imports, reduces our CO2 emissions and saves money for the individual household and for the Exchequer.

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

Question 328: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has considered legislation similar to the Electric Law passed in France in February 2002 which introduced a feed-in tariff system for individuals as well as companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26387/05]

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

Historically, support for new renewable energy powered electricity generating plants in Ireland, operated by my Department, was based on a competitive tendering process. In April 2005 I announced a change from competitive tendering to a feed-in tariff under the existing legislative basis in section 39 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I have no plans to propose changes to this legislative authority at this time. The support programme, in its current draft form, proposes that any applicant, whether an individual or company, may submit an application under the fixed-feed in support programme. The detailed terms and conditions of the proposed feed-in support programme were posted on my Department's website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie, in draft form, on 29 September 2005 and interested parties have until 12 October 2005 to raise any questions or to furnish any observations on the proposals, as published.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.