Written answers

Thursday, 27 November 2008

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Alternative Energy Projects

5:00 pm

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants available from his Department to help alleviate the costs of introducing alternative energy sources such as wood pellet burners, insulation, solar panels and so on in new homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43267/08]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Building Regulations 2008, which came into force on July 1st, make the inclusion of renewable energy in new homes mandatory. As a result grant support towards installation of renewable technologies in new homes is no longer available under the Greener Homes Scheme. The Building Regulations mandatory requirement will of itself significantly stimulate demand for renewable energy products and services. The presence in the market of 1,300 installers who have successfully completed nationally accredited training will underpin this regulatory requirement. The installation of renewable heating systems in existing homes, which is typically more complex and more expensive, is receiving continued support in the short to medium term while the market reaches maturity.

The Low Carbon Homes Programme, which will be administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland, will provide grants to developers of up to 40% of eligible expenditure to encourage large developments of new homes to an energy performance standard well in excess of the recently adopted building Regulations. Homes built under the Programme will be at least 70% more energy efficient and produce at least 70% less carbon dioxide than homes built to 2005 standards and will have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of at least A2. Homes built to the standard of the recently adopted Building Regulations, which are already among the best in Europe, would typically have a BER of B1, two points below the minimum standard of the new programme.

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