Deirdre Clune
Ceist:88 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the number of wind turbines in operation in the country; and the contribution they make to the national grid. [8257/98]
Written Answers. - Wind Turbines.
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:89 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her Department has a policy on the generation of electricity by wind turbines; and, if so, if she will make a statement on that policy and the way in which her Department is implementing it. [8258/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.
The promotion of renewable energy, including wind energy, is a priority of the Goverment's overall energy policy as set out in An Action Programme for the Millennium. The third alternative energy requirement competition, AER III, launched in March 1997, seeks to increase the contribution of renewable energy resources by 100 MWe by the end of 1999. This includes 90 MWe provided by wind energy. The results of the competition will be announced in the coming month. Currently there are seven wind farms in operation with an aggregate installed capacity of 50.6 MWe. A further 10 MWe from two wind-farms will come on stream shortly.