Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 479: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether the money which will be spent on carbon credits as part of our obligations under the Kyoto Treaty would be better spent on tax breaks for clean energy, a national insulation scheme, the introduction of smart metering across the nation and the provision of more energy sinks such as that currently operating at Turlough Hill County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40787/08]

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

The Government is committed to making the necessary transition to a low-carbon economy and will be developing further measures to tackle climate challenge, reduce our purchases of carbon credits and reduce emissions.

Fundamental to the Government's climate change agenda is accelerated energy efficiency across the economy and delivery of renewable energy technologies, together with the necessary related investment in the distribution and transmission system. The incentivisation of energy efficiency and renewable energy is therefore a key priority for the Government as reflected in Budget Day announcements.

We introduced a new tax incentive measure under section 46 of the Finance Act 2008 to encourage companies to purchase the most energy efficient plant, machinery and equipment for use within their business.

Existing categories include lighting, lighting controls, motors, variable speed drives and building energy management systems. The Minister for Finance has also signalled his intention to expand the range of technologies covered by the scheme in the forthcoming Finance Bill.

The Home Energy Saving Scheme is a key initiative which was introduced as a pilot scheme this year. The scheme will provide grants to householders to improve the energy performance of their homes. We have provided €20 million in the Budget to roll out the Scheme nationally in 2009.

The rollout of the national smart meter programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government, with the pilot phase launched on 15 September. The Smart Meter programme is a central component of our strategy to significantly enhance management of energy demand and to achieve greater energy efficiency through the use of cutting-edge technology.

The costs of the pilot to year end will be approximately €6m. As part of the preparation for the 'go live' of the pilot, the Commission for Energy Regulation is currently considering submissions from the ESB on the budget for the entire pilot phase.

My Department, together with ESB and EirGrid has kept the question of additional pumped storage facilities under review. The ground-breaking All Island Grid Study, jointly commissioned by my Department and DETI in Northern Ireland showed, for a level of renewable electricity up to 42% on the system, with the scheduled of the East/West interconnector by 2012, that no further pumped storage is required.