Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1541: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a renewable energy feed in tariff scheme or set price for geothermal energy. [33186/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) scheme was introduced in 2006 encompassing electricity from onshore wind, small hydro, biomass combustion and landfill gas. I have subsequently announced the expansion of the scheme to cover electricity from offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, biomass CHP and Anaerobic Digestion. REFIT schemes are subject to State Aid clearance by the European Commission. The costs of REFIT are covered through the Public Service Obligation Levy which applies to all electricity customers.

The Geothermal Energy Development Bill currently being drafted by my Department will provide for the licensing of companies to explore for and develop deep geothermal energy resources. The prospects for deep geothermal electricity in Ireland are being investigated by several companies. The introduction of the overall licensing framework is designed to support the development of geothermal potential.

In addition geothermal companies have signalled the need for a REFIT tariff for electricity from geothermal sources to underpin future project viability. In the context of finalising the overall framework for the development of geothermal energy, the REFIT tariff proposal will be examined by my Department.