Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004
31 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the lifting of the moratorium on new connections to wind farms and the recent advances in wind turbine technology which should overcome many of the network concerns expressed by our transmission operator, the level of wind capacity that he now believes could be given grid connections. [19309/04]
View answerThe question of the level of wind capacity which can safely be given grid connections is ultimately a technical matter to be determined by relevant experts.
The Commission for Energy Regulation has informed me that it hopes to publish a final decision on the lifting of the moratorium this week. I understand the general principle underlying this decision is that any obligations or restrictions on wind generators seeking connections to either the transmission or the distribution systems should be necessitated by the need to protect system stability and security. There is, therefore, not a new ceiling as such. I also understand that any objections or restrictions should be proportionate to the potential threat to system safety, stability and security posed by a continuation of the projected increase in wind connections which triggered the moratorium in the first place. Further modelling work may also be required by the system operator to ultimately determine the level of wind that can be safely and securely accommodated on the system.
On 6 May last I established the renewable energy development group. The group is chaired by my Department and includes representatives from the Commission for Energy Regulation, Sustainable Energy Ireland, ESB national grid and the Economic and Social Research Institute of Ireland among others. The group will consider and make recommendations on the impact of renewable energy on the electricity supply system and any necessary actions with regard to investment including, codes, guidelines and security standards. This will take into account any required action following on from the wind connection moratorium.
