Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 198: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason for the major delay in announcing the REFIT tariff for biomass production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38287/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In May of this year, I announced a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFITs) 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.

REFIT tariffs relate to the price to be paid for the electricity exported to the grid, rather than the price for inputs into that process. This is the way in which existing REFIT tariffs have operated since 2006, and schemes across the EU also operate similarly.

State Aid Clearance from the European Commission is required before the new feed in tariffs can be implemented. My Department is currently finalising the State Aid submission with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and this will be forwarded to the Commission this week.