Vol. 510 No. 1
26 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Sargent den Aire Fiontar Poiblí an bhfuil scrúdú nó trialacha déanta ag a Roinn ar an gcábla éadrom HVDC ón tSualainn; agus an gcreideann sí gur fiú córas mar seo a fhorbairt in Éirinn chun gur féidir leictreachas a fháil ó stáisiúin hidrileictreacha beaga iargúlta, ó mhuilte gaoithe aonaracha, ó staisiúin taoide nó tonnta, mar shampla, amach anseo (sonraí tugtha). [18682/99]
I thank the Deputy for the interesting material attached to the question in this instance. As a general statement, the question of the technical means of connecting generating stations to the national grid is a matter for the national grid business unit in ESB.
I indicated in the recent Green Paper on Sustainable Energy that I was setting up a renewable energy strategy group to examine all aspects of, and obstacles to, the further deployment of renewable energy technologies. I will be glad to request them to take into account in their deliberations the material furnished by the Deputy.
I also indicated that funding in excess of £20 million will be allocated in the national development plan for a planned approach to infrastructural investment in the electricity grid to facilitate connection from renewable energy electricity generating plants. Details of this investment programme over the period of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 have not yet been settled.
