Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which he will support the alternative energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11085/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff scheme (REFIT), which is administered by my Department is the key support scheme for the renewable energy sector, supporting renewable energy generators with a guaranteed price in the wholesale electricity market. State Aid Clearance for the REFIT scheme was obtained from the European Commission in September 2007 and a renewal and expansion of the Scheme is being finalised with the Commission.

The expanded REFIT will encompass biomass and high efficiency CHP as well as wind.

In addition to the Feed in Tariff support mechanisms, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's programmes are supporting the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies including, for example, microgeneration and wave energy prototypes.