Electricity Transmission Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Questions (478)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

478. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to any damage caused to wind turbines as a result of the stormy weather in December 2013 and January 2014; if he will provide data showing the amount of megawatts produced by wind energy in December 2013; the number of wind turbines that were shut down during the recent stormy weather in December 2013 and January 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1760/14]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

My Department has been in contact with EirGrid and ESB Networks regarding the Deputy's question. I am advised that there are many reasons why wind turbines might come off line that are unrelated to their network connection. In particular, in high winds such as we would have had in recent weeks, turbines can shut down automatically. Damage to wind turbines is a matter for the project developers themselves to deal with and has not been brought to my attention.

The Deputy may note that a record for wind generation of 1,769 MW was set on 17 December last. Approximately 677,000 MegaWatt hours (MWh) was produced by wind energy in December 2013.