Talks have been held to examine the possibility of developing a regulatory framework for geothermal energy in Ireland, it has been revealed.

Junior Energy Minister Conor Lenihan said his department and the Geothermal Association of Ireland co-hosted a workshop yesterday to look at options for the regulation of the sector.

The proposed approach for enabling development of the sector in Ireland was outlined.

-- Advertisement --

Delegates were selected from a range of public and private sector bodies with experience in the development of geothermal energy, and included participation from Northern Ireland.

Minister Lenihan said: "This workshop meant that the department got to hear fresh new ideas from those actually working in the area of geothermal energy which can only be a good thing."

Mr Lenihan said the government's policy is to increase the contribution of geothermal energy to meeting Ireland's targets for use of alternative energy.

He said the country must be able to take maximum advantage of the potential of this fast-developing sector to reduce our dependence on imported energy sources and exploit the possibilities for job-creation of this relatively untapped source of energy.

(PR/JM)