Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the increase which has occurred since 2000 in the generation of electricity from CHP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36723/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The total installed capacity of CHP to date is 145 MWe, of which 27 MWe was installed since 2000. Aughinish Alumina is scheduled to commission an additional 150 MWe shortly.

The main current market in Ireland is for gas-fired CHP in industry, commerce and the services sector for which there are mature CHP technologies and a developed supply chain. Last year, my Department established a CHP policy group, to consider the most suitable and appropriate environments in which CHP can usefully be implemented in Ireland, so as to maximise energy efficiency. The group, which comprised representatives of relevant Departments and agencies and industry representatives, is currently finalising its deliberations. These will be considered in the context of the development of overall renewable energy policy.