Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 595: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals in relation to the deployment of onshore wind energy; if in relation to renewable energy feed in tariff there are other proposed support schemes; his general policy goals and timescale in the onshore wind energy area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18576/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The current national target is to increase the contribution from all renewable energy sources from 3.6% of electricity consumed in 1997, the benchmark year applied in EU Directive 2001/77/EC to address national targets for 2010 to each Member State, up to 15% by 2010 and to further increase that target to 33% for 2020.

The Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) support programme replaces a competitive tendering based programme, which operated during the previous decade to support the construction of new renewable energy powered electricity generating plants. The change to a feed-in type arrange has been received favourably by the majority of market players. The REFIT support programme is new and is awaiting state aids clearance from the EU Commission before it can be put into effect. My Department will monitor its effectiveness once it is put into effect. However, it is premature to suggest a further alternative support mechanism or change to the proposed programme until it has operated for an initial period, at least.