Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2013
329. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of wind energy grid connection contracts awarded by his Department from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11534/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupervision of the grid connection process is vested in the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The CER sets the policy by which connection offers to grid applicants are issued (under section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended). I have no role or function in the matter of grid connections. The grid connection offers are issued (i) by EirGrid, the Transmission System Operator (TSO), for those generators connecting to the transmission system and (ii) by ESB Networks, the Distribution System Operator (DSO), for those generators connecting to the distribution system. These must be issued in line with the CER’s policy. If a developer accepts their offers, then EirGrid or ESB Networks issue the actual contract (connection agreement). The standard form of the connection agreement is also approved by the CER.
Information on the windfarms connected to the grid, including the estimated connection date, is available on the EirGrid website for TSO connected windfarms (www.eirgrid.com) and on the ESB website for DSO connected windfarms (www.esb.ie).
