Applications for grid connections are made to ESB Networks and/or Eirgrid in the first instance. Data on grid connections has been published by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) as part of its consultation process on grid connections and additional information is published from time to time by Eirgrid.
CER and Eirgrid have calculated that 5,800 megawatts (MWs) of renewable capacity is required to achieve the 40% target in 2020. The latest figures from Eirgrid and CER show that there are currently over 1,300 MW of renewable capacity already connected to the system with a further 1,500 MW with a signed connection agreement or in the final stages of agreeing one. The recent CER decision on the "Gate 3" Round provides for connection offers for 3,900 MWs of additional renewable capacity. This Gate 3 process includes some 785MW of offshore wind capacity. Figures from CER indicate that there are in the region of 7,000 MW of further applications. There is currently no breakdown of the technologies in this latter group available.
A contribution of 1000 MWs in any one renewable technology, which the onshore wind category has already surpassed, is a significant contribution to the overall capacity requirement. Ongoing discussion with representatives of the offshore wind sector indicates that the sector has the potential to make an increasing contribution to targets from around 2012 onwards.