Written answers

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Irish Planning Institute's claim that the renewable export framework is premature without an overall national energy plan and the completion of a national landscape strategy, which is required in response to Ireland’s ratification of the European landscape convention in 2002. [51991/13]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Irish Planning Institute has made a submission to the initial consultation held on the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework which, in conjunction with all submissions received, will be taken into account in the development of the framework and in the first instance the scoping report which will be published in early 2014.Ireland has the capability to achieve its national targets for renewable electricity for 2020 from onshore renewable generation alone, with capacity to spare. This capability is referenced in both the Government's Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012 - 2020 and the National Renewable Energy Action Plan. The Strategy for Renewable Energy also outlines the opportunity, under Directive 2009/28/EC, for projects of scale both onshore and offshore that are aimed at export markets. The work programme under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed last January with the UK, will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of both countries in the 2020 timeframe. In order to support this opportunity, the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework will ensure that any export of renewable energy must take account of Ireland's energy needs and long term strategic energy requirements. The framework will have regard to national strategies or policies and will provide the opportunity to integrate relevant EU Directive requirements (including Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment). Under Article 5 of EU Directive 2001/42/EC, the Environmental Report, on which the SEA will be based, will include an assessment of any environmental effects of the policy including landscape.

I understand that the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will bring proposals to Government in early 2014 with a view to finalising the National Landscape Strategy for publication in 2014. However, I should highlight that the primary role of planning authorities, and the consultative roles of other bodies and persons in decision-making relating to such issues, will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2012, to which the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework will have regard.

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