Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he encourages the use of alternative energy technology in the heating of all public buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14435/11]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The EU's Energy Performance Building Directive (Recast) 2010 requires that a technical, environmental and economic feasibility study for high-efficiency alternative energy systems be carried out for all new buildings and buildings undergoing major renovation. Alternative energy systems include those from renewable energy sources e.g. biomass heating, solar water heating, etc., district heating systems where they are based entirely or partially on energy from renewable sources, cogeneration (combined heat and power) and heat pumps.

The Building Regulations 2008, Technical Guidance Document, Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy - Buildings other than Dwellings), requires consideration to be given to the use of renewable energy, e.g. solar water heating, and to heat recovery from other processes, where applicable.

Across the entire range of procurement processes, including Public Private Partnership (PPP), Design and Build and also traditional procurement, for the past number of years, the Office of Public Works (OPW) requires that the use of alternative energy technologies is considered and utilised where technically and economically feasible. The requirement to consider alternative energy sources now forms an integral part of the design process.

As a result of these requirements, there have been a number of recently constructed buildings which have had alternative energy systems installed. These systems have included biomass boilers (both centralised and decentralised) using wood chip or wood pellet, Solar Heating systems for Domestic Hot Water, heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation systems. There are also a number of cogeneration systems installed in several buildings.