The possibility of nuclear energy here will be formally rejected in the Government's energy Green Paper to be released on Sunday. The Green Paper will also call for much more frequent reviews of State energy policy.
The decision to dismiss the nuclear option should come as no surprise, given unequivocal statements against nuclear power made by the Government over the past months, according to a source in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
The Green Paper will elevate energy to a much more important position on the political agenda, however, and will call for fresh reviews of energy policy every five years. The last energy Green Paper was published in 1978.
It will also have a particular focus on both energy efficiency as a way to curb energy demand and carbon discharges, and also on greatly increasing access to renewable energy.
These details emerged as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey announced an initiative to encourage more energy research.
He announced details of the Charles Parsons Energy Research Awards yesterday at Trinity College Dublin. The scheme should benefit studies into alternative energy such as wind, wave and biomass but also conventional power sources and efficient transport.
The initiative will provide substantial funding to help research groups hire and fund experienced postdoctoral scientists who will work in priority areas of energy research, Mr Dempsey told The Irish Times. "Energy is a key area on the Government agenda," the Minister said.
The scheme provides funding to third-level departments and groups already involved in research. It will allow them to find and hire scientists and postgraduates, who will then conduct energy-related research in their host institutions.
The scheme is unusual in that research awards for post-doctoral scientists can be made for up to seven years, subject to a mid-term review. The awards will also be open to candidates from either side of the Border and to researchers from abroad. In particular, the department hopes that the scheme will attract engineering graduates and encourage them into research.
The goal is to offer candidates a stable career path that can help them integrate into their host institution. "It fits into an energy context but is also consistent with the Government's wider strategy for science, technology and innovation," Mr Dempsey said.
The open invitation to suitable international researchers is also a recognition that Ireland does not produce sufficient postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers to fill the vacancies becoming available because of the Government's greatly increased expenditure on scientific research. "While there is quite a bit of [ energy research] going on, it is scattered and not well-focused," he said.
The scheme will also provide four-year PhD studentships for engineering graduates and open up summer placements to enable undergraduates to work in laboratories on energy research.
No fixed sum has been set aside for the scheme, Mr Dempsey indicated, given the fact it was a new programme and its organisers were unsure of the level of interest. "Funding will be decided on the basis of the international assessment of project proposals," the Minister said.
Nor was the value of awards detailed, but clearly they would have to be attractive enough to tempt applicants from abroad, a source in the Department added.
Successful PhD candidates could receive €16,000 to €17,000 per year, plus their annual fees.
Post-doctoral awards would be more substantial, in the €50,000 to €60,000 range.
Details of the Charles Parsons Energy Research Awards are available on the department's website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie, and will also be provided in advertisements to be published in the national media on October 6th.