Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to export energy; the details of any negotiations that are under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28699/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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In July 2010, Ireland submitted its National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) to the European Commission. One of the scenarios set out in the Plan identifies Ireland's potential in the longer term to become an exporter of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources to other Member States subject to the appropriate economic, technical and environmental conditions and subject to comprehensive cost-benefit analyses.

Currently there is no cross border renewable energy trade anywhere in the EU. The cooperation mechanisms set out in the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC are designed to facilitate the development of such cross-border trade between Member States based on bilateral agreements.

I attended the British Irish Council with the Taoiseach in June, which addressed the considerable potential for close cooperation across these islands for the development and trading of renewable energy. The Council agreed that officials would continue to collectively examine the potential opportunities for facilitating the cost-effective exploitation of renewable energy resources, in the context of integration of electricity markets and security of supply. This work is still at relatively early stages and will be ongoing over the coming months.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is currently commissioning analysis, which will examine the economic implications and opportunities of developing an export trade in renewable energy. The East West Interconnector between Ireland and the UK, which is on schedule to be completed next year, will also facilitate the development of energy trading.