Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 March 2009
32 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total of renewable energy awaiting connection to the grid; when the application process will be completed; the number of offshore wind applications that have been received; the length of time since receipt of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10528/09]
View answer58 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent of wind applications to the grid that exist; the position regarding these applications; if the onshore providers awaiting access to the grid will be given less favourable status than offshore wind applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10501/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 58 together.
In addition to the circa 1,400 megawatts (MWs) of renewable energy generating capacity already connected to the grid, there is a further 1,400 MW of projects with signed connection offers. EirGrid and ESB Networks, following decisions by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), are in the process of offering connections for a further 3,900 MWs of capacity from a published queue exceeding 6,000 MWs. Virtually all of the capacity currently in the connection processes is windpower.
I am advised that there are three offshore projects in the Gate 3 process with a combined capacity of 785 MW out of a total of 3,890 MW overall in the process. The gate 3 process, which is organised directly by the CER, includes both onshore and offshore projects and the criteria for project selection used was date of receipt of the application.
