Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
727. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of onshore windfarms and the number of offshore windfarms currently being constructed here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16372/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation on numbers of wind farms currently being constructed are not held by my Department, EirGrid (the Transmission System Operator) or ESB Networks (the Distribution System Operator). However, data published by EirGrid indicates that 25 larger wind farms are contracted to connect to the high voltage transmission grid and data published by ESB Networks shows that 74 wind farms are contracted to connect to the low voltage distribution grid. In addition, the Gate 3 programme allows for the issuance of connection offers to over 150 renewable generators (mostly wind farms), with a combined capacity of approximately 4,000 MW. There are 3 offshore wind projects in the Gate 3 process awaiting connection offers to the transmission grid. No offshore wind distribution projects are currently under construction in the Republic of Ireland.
