Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the proposed biomass district heating scheme under the Dundalk 2020 project; when final tender documents will issue to the remaining tendering consortia; when a preferred bidder will be selected; the amount of the concerto funding which has already been spent; and if this money will have to be refunded to the European Commission if the project does not proceed within a realistic timeframe. [21676/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Dundalk 2020 biomass district heating scheme is currently in the closing stages of a competitive tender procurement process. Final tender documents are almost completed. Selection of a preferred bidder will be dependent on contract negotiations. It is anticipated that the tender selection panel will select the preferred bidder within one month of submission of final tenders.

The EU Concerto programme funding is available under Framework 6 Programme rules. The funding only passes to the preferred bidder (Energy Supply Company – ESCo) on agreement between the EU Commission and ESCo. As this part of the programme is still in tender process no funding has been drawn down to date in respect of this project. The Concerto fund is available for this project for 5 years and the project is currently in year 2.