Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 929: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will reconsider the fee in tariff price paid for renewable electricity from biomass in view of the fact that the industry representatives are finding it difficult to progress projects here due to the price differential between Northern Ireland, the UK and this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1621/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government has set the targets for the contribution from renewable energy sources to electricity at 40% by 2020. The 40% electricity target is consistent with the new EU target addressed to Ireland in the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, which requires Ireland to increase the contribution from renewable sources to 16% of all energy consumed (encompassing electricity, transport and heating) by 2020.

Reflecting the need to support the development of biomass, I announced a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) of 12 cent per kilowatt hour. Under the auspices of the Renewable Energy Development Group, which is chaired by my Department, the Bioenergy Working Group is currently finalising a Bioenergy Road Map to 2020 which will underpin the contribution of bioenergy, including biomass to Ireland's Renewable Energy target for 2020. The Working Group is reviewing the current REFIT for the various categories of biomass Combined Heat and Power plants in that context having regard to the particular challenges for the sector. I expect the Working Group's report to be submitted to me next month.