Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm the inclusion of geothermal energy in the renewable energy feed-in tariff, REFIT, so as to aid its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35958/10]

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. The costs of REFIT are covered through the Public Service Obligation Levy which applies to all electricity customers.

Companies who are interested in developing geothermal sources for generating renewable electricity have signalled the need for a REFIT tariff for electricity from geothermal sources to underpin future project viability. My Department, together with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, are currently assessing the technical and economic feasibility of deep geothermal generation in an Irish context and any possible decision on supporting new technologies can only be considered when such information is available.

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.