Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made on providing a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff for micro-generation; when it will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37599/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department, together with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, is completing analysis of the micro-generation and small commercial scale renewable technologies sector to evaluate options around the introduction of a Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) scheme. The purpose of the analysis is to inform the development of such a scheme by analysing tariff options, scheme terms and conditions, potential market uptake and overall cost and benefits to the consumer. I expect to receive the results of this analysis shortly.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made on providing a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff for miscanthus; when it will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37600/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In May 2010, I announced new Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) for electricity generated from biomass, ranging from 8.5 cent per kilowatt hour to 15 cent per kilowatt hour depending on the technology deployed. These tariffs include support for electricity generated from biomass co fired with peat in the three peat fired power stations. The types of biomass likely to be used for this purpose include willow, and forest fibre and miscanthus along with other energy crops and other biomass materials.

State Aid Approval from the European Commission is required before the new REFIT tariffs can be implemented. My Department is currently finalising the technical details of the State Aid submission with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and it will be submitted to the Commission this week.