Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total alternative electricity generating capacity currently available to the national grid; the number of applications pending, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25284/14]
View answerThe total amount of renewable electricity generation capacity currently connected to the national grid is over 2,300 MW. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has oversight of the process for connecting generators, both renewable and non-renewable, to the national grid.This is generally referred to as the Group Process Approach, which has been implemented to date through a series of gates, with Gate 3 being the most recent. Smaller projects (less than 5 MW) can connect outside of the gate process. All parties applying to connect to the national grid apply to the system operator, either the Transmission System Operator (TSO), EirGrid, or the Distribution System Operator (DSO), ESB Networks. Applications are processed in accordance with the terms of the Gate. The relevant System Operator will then issue a Connection Offer to eligible parties. Following the signing of a Connection Agreement, projects are connected to the grid.
The CER expects to publish a public consultation paper on the post Gate 3 scenario later this year. Information regarding renewable energy projects which have applications pending with the TSO and the DSO are operational matters for the companies themselves. I can advise the Deputy that lists of projects currently in the application process are available on the EirGrid and ESB Networks websites at http://www.eirgrid.com/ and http://www.esb.ie respectively.
