Written answers

Wednesday, 12 October 2005

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Alternative Energy Projects

9:00 pm

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of alternative energy projects funded to date with particular reference to renewable sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28009/05]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of alternative energy projects funded to date with particular reference to renewable sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28161/05]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 284 together.

My Department administers the alternative energy requirement, AER, competitions, the underlying principle of which is that prospective generators are invited to make a formal application to build, own and operate newly installed renewable energy based electricity generating plant and to supply electricity from these to the ESB under a power purchase agreement of up to 15 years. The additional costs of this programme are funded by a levy on all electricity customers known as the public service obligation, PSO, levy. So far, 61 renewable energy projects have received funding under this programme. Further projects currently under construction will receive funding through the PSO when commissioned.

To the best of my knowledge, six projects received funding under Thermie and one under Valoren. These are EU operated programmes and my Department is not involved in their administration.

Sustainable Energy Ireland's research and development programmes and alternative and renewable energy projects have been funded under the renewable energy research, design and development — demonstration projects and studies — and house of tomorrow — housing developments with renewable energy sourced heating — programmes. The number of projects in each category with committed funding is 150 projects in terms of renewable energy research, design and development and 21 in terms of the house of tomorrow programme.

I recently announced the next support programme to further increase the contribution to electricity production from renewable energy sources. This new programme will move away from the competitive tendering model to a fixed price scheme. The detailed draft 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 and interested parties have until today to raise any queries or to furnish any observations on the proposals as published. Following a detailed analysis of the matters raised the new programme, to be known as the renewable energy feed in tariff, REFIT, will be put in place. REFIT will further stimulate the construction of new renewable electricity generating plant. Successful projects under the programme will receive funding through the PSO.

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