Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the percentage of energy consumed in his Department and in all agencies for which his Department has responsibility that comes from renewable sources. [33280/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the heating of my Department's offices the fuels used are natural gas and oil, which are from non renewable sources. The supply of electrical energy to my Department is provided by two of the major suppliers of electricity to the national grid. While the supply from these providers is not principally from renewable sources, I understand that this supply does include a component of green energy. This would be typical of the situation that applies in the agencies for which my Department has responsibility.

The Office of Public works has informed me that they are in the process of bringing forward proposals for a new energy centre for the Government Buildings complex, which includes the principal offices of my Department. It is intended that this energy centre will provide for a number of alternative sources of energy for the complex which will include a combined heat and power system.