Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the feasibility of wind generated electricity is being given serious consideration by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34134/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The production of electricity from renewable energy sources, of which wind is the dominant technology, is a key priority of this Government. The consumption of electricity from these sources was approximately 5.1% of total electricity consumed last year. I am finalising a new programme to support the construction of at least a further 400 MW of new renewable energy powered electricity generating plant by 2010. This capacity, together with other capacity constructed since 2004, will more than double the consumption level to at least 13.2% by 2010.

The detailed draft terms and conditions of the new feed-in support programme were put out to public consultation on my Department's website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie. Interested parties had until 12 October 2005 to raise any queries or to furnish any observations on the proposals. Approximately thirty responses were received. Following consideration of the matters raised in these responses the new programme, to be known as the renewable energy feed in tariff, REFIT, is now awaiting legal clearance. The finalised document will be published as soon as possible after legal clearance is received. The question of what further targets can be set and in what timeframe is one that requires further analysis and technical input, largely but not exclusively on grid and associated economic issues.