Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Alternative Energy Projects

9:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 923: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take to support renewable energy projects on farms; the grant aid or supports provided to date for such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1396/10]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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There is a range of support measures for renewable energy already in place of which the farming community and rural communities generally can avail. Support for the generation of electricity on a micro scale include a guaranteed price of 19 cent per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. This competitive feed-in tariff applies to the first 4,000 micro-generation installations countrywide over the next two years. Access to the feed-in tariff includes the provision of a smart-meter to facilitate exports to the grid and encourage those customers to examine their electricity use generally.

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) is operating a pilot scheme for micro and small-scale generation technologies that is designed to investigate and test technical, market and regulatory issues associated with the deployment of micro-generation technologies including installation, network connection and operation, and generation. Grant aid for up to 50 pilot installations has been provided as part of the programme. The experience gained in the performance of this programme will inform the roll-out of any subsequent wider micro-scale programme.

The farming community can also avail of grant support under the Greener Homes and ReHeat Schemes, which are administered by SEI. SEI's Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Programme assists the deployment of small-scale fossil-fired and biomass CHP systems in the industrial, commercial, service and public sectors. The Biomass CHP Programme provides grant aid for Biomass and Anaerobic Digestion CHP. Anaerobic Digestion, in particular, offers opportunities for farmers to use animal waste to generate electricity, while also reducing the environmental impact of that waste when spread on the land. Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs have also been put in place.

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