Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2016
460. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the mean wind speed profiles forecast by the 2003 and 2013 wind atlases for Ireland for all wind farms with a capacity greater than 5 MW, including those with connection offers that are as yet uncommissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8055/16]
View answerI understand that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) wind atlas was developed as an information tool for Local Authorities to identify areas suitable for renewable energy in their County Development Plans and for developing their wind energy strategies. The SEAI wind atlas is available at http://www.seai.ie/.
The wind atlas provides information on wind speeds in various areas around Ireland. It does not provide an analysis of speeds at specific wind farm sites, whether operational or in planning, for which specialist wind farm modelling capability and site specific data, would be required. However, the SEAI wind atlas database is available to any private or public entity wishing to carry out an initial analysis of the wind energy potential of a site in Ireland. As Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, it is not appropriate for me to comment on the technical details of individual wind farms.
Neither does the wind atlas contain information pertaining to connection offers. Information in relation to renewable electricity generation capacity connected to the electricity grid, including capacity that is contracted for connection, is available on EirGrid’s and ESB Networks’ websites at www.eirgrid.com and www.esb.ie respectively. If the Deputy wishes to obtain detailed information regarding grid connection offers she should contact EirGrid and ESB Networks who are the electricity system operators.
