Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to increase the provision of renewable energy following the report from the Commission for Energy Regulation in 2005 which estimates that the cost of electricity is set to rise significantly due to higher fuel costs and rising carbon emission costs. [36692/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have announced publicly a new support programme to increase the consumption of electricity from renewable energy sources from approximately 5% currently to 13.2% by 2010. This target to more than double output in a five-year period will require developers to more than double the 675 MW currently available to 1,450 MW by the 2010 deadline.

The new support mechanism moves from competitive tendering to a fixed price scheme, in order to ensure this target is delivered. This means that any applicant who meets the published criteria, after the new programme is formally launched, may submit an application for support at a predetermined fixed price.

The new programme, the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff, REFIT, will better ensure that we can more than double the amount of renewable energy powered electricity plant connected to the electricity network thereby doubling output within a five-year period.

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 access and associated technical issues to ensure the continuity of electricity supply to all customers at the most reasonable cost possible.