Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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583. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to commission a study to investigate the potential for solar energy; when he anticipates that the infrastructure for this invaluable resource will be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17866/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Analysis of the potential of microgeneration technologies such as small scale wind, solar (including photovoltaic) and small scale hydro, has been carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI's findings, along with responses to the recent consultation on the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland, will inform future policy on the provision of any market support for microgeneration, and will be taken into consideration in preparation of the White Paper on Energy which will be finalised in September this year.

The SEAI has funded a number of solar projects through its Research, Demonstration and Development Programme. In addition, the ESB is focussed on the potential opportunities which solar photovoltaic presents and is also collaborating in research to understand the technological progress in this area and to evaluate further opportunities as the technology develops and costs reduce.

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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584. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to commission a study to investigate the feasibility of biomass as a raw material for the Moneypoint Electricity Supply Board plant in County Clare as part of measures to reduce dependency on imported oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17878/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The choice of fuel used in the plant at Moneypoint is ultimately a matter for the operator and I have no role or function in this regard. No studies have been undertaken by my Department on the potential or otherwise of converting the plant to use biomass. Furthermore, I understand that there are a number of important issues that would demand further consideration before biomass could be used at Moneypoint. These include the following:

- the conversion of Moneypoint to biomass would require significant levels of capital investment by the operator;

- support tariffs substantially higher than those available for wind, which has been the most cost effective renewable technology in the Irish electricity market, would also be required which could lead to increased electricity prices;

- substantially more biomass than is available domestically would be required with large amounts of the resource having to be imported leading to uncertainty in terms of security of supply. The sustainability of transporting large amounts of imported biomass would also be a cause for concern;

- the commitment of substantial amounts of biomass to Moneypoint would divert scarce biomass away from the renewable heat sector, where biomass can be used more efficiently and where fewer alternative technologies exist.

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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585. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Government's policy regarding micro turbines; the provisions that are being made to connect the output of these micro turbines to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17884/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for renewable energy exported to the grid. These schemes support electricity generated from a range of renewable sources, including small scale hydro, biomass and wind. Based around Power Purchase Agreements between generators and electricity suppliers, REFIT schemes assure a minimum price for each unit of electricity exported to the grid over a 15 year period. Small scale renewable generation is eligible to apply for support under the REFIT schemes.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provides a range of supports to business and homeowners in relation to the deployment of renewable energy technologies.

In the context of the forthcoming energy policy paper, my Department is considering matters relating to Ireland's fuel mix, including the role of microgeneration. Analysis of the potential of microgeneration technologies such as small scale wind, solar (including photovoltaic) and small scale hydro, has been carried out by the SEAI. The SEAI's findings, along with responses to the recent consultation on the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland, will inform future policy on the provision of any market support for microgeneration. The views will be taken into consideration in preparation of the White Paper on Energy which will be finalised in September this year.

Given the emerging policy context and the requirements of the EU target market for electricity, my Department is also beginning the process of developing a new support scheme for electricity, to be available from 2016 onwards. A key component of this will be consideration of the available technologies, their cost effectiveness and the level of support required. The scheme will be subject to State Aid clearance and the initial public consultation on the new scheme will commence shortly.

As regards the physical connection of a microgenerator to the electricity network, interested parties should contact ESB Networks. Details are available at:

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