Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 317: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, further to his press release of 24 January 2009, he will confirm the expansion of the REFIT scheme to include a 12% per KwH feed and tariff for the use of CHP biomass systems; his position on the introduction of a REFIT tariff for co-firing of biomass and peat burning power stations; the way he will support the introduction of co-firing while ensuring that the generation companies do not retard the biomass matter by engaging in uncompetitive raw material pricing while having a dominant position in the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14758/09]

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

The REFIT category of Biomass Combined Heat and Power and Anerobic Digestion with a tariff of €0.12 per kilowatt-hour is comparable with similar supports schemes operating within the EU. My Department has sought proposals, from individuals who have expressed an interest in developing projects in this category, on appropriate qualifying conditions and an appropriate timeline for commissioning projects in this category which may extend beyond the 2010 deadline under the current REFIT rules.

My Department has no evidence to suggest that any electricity producer is engaging in an uncompetitive pricing for biomass products to generate electricity. Bord na Mona is currently engaged in a pilot co-firing project which is examining the suitability of different types of biomass in co-firing with peat.

The existing ESB and Bord na Mona plants generating electricity from peat will not qualify as CHP plants nor are there proposals to extend the REFIT scheme to those peat-powered for co-firing biomass with peat in electricity production.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 318: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will ensure that companies which wish to connect to the national grid, and which intend to generate power using biomass as a fuel can get an agreed connection offer in a timely manner which does not lead to a significant time delay, similar to that being experienced in the wind market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14759/09]

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

Last December the Commission for Energy Regulation published a decision to require the network providers to offer connections for a further 3900 megawatts of renewable energy powered electricity generating plant. This capacity is additional to the 1500 megawatts with connection offers in the REFIT support programme and the approximately 1400 megawatts of such plant already connected to the electricity grid.

In addition, the CER has recently published a consultation paper on an alternative connection process for small scale and low carbon projects up to 1 megawatt (CER/09/044) which is likely to be of benefit to suitably sized local biomass proposals.

The Bio-energy Group which is a subgroup of the Renewable Energy Development Group, and includes both industry and representative association members is currently reviewing all issues inherent in the development of the national bio-energy resource including access to the grid.