Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the EirGrid representatives. My questions relate to renewables, the North-South interconnector and the Celtic interconnector.

The integration of offshore renewables into the system is an issue. How does EirGrid see that developing? Is the grid currently geared up for offshore renewables and micro-generation? Other European countries have moved very quickly into a system whereby thousands of sources of micro-generation are supplementing larger plants. In Ireland, we do not seem to have gotten that far yet. Has any analysis of the replacement of coal from Moneypoint with alternative fuel been carried out?

I refer to the North-South interconnector. There are arguments around undergrounding or overgrounding. The connection between Belgium and Germany is just over 90 km long. Has it been analysed in terms of the viability of the underground option? Could that knowledge be transferred to the North-South interconnector? It needs to be built and we need to improve the single energy market and ensure it is retained, in particular given Brexit and beyond. It has to be a key aim of the State to ensure that we do that for the good of the North and South.

Mr. Slye set out the timescale for the Celtic interconnector and said it could be in place by 2025, which is a very good development. In terms of funding, have there been any commitments from the European Union?

Have discussions been held with European institutions on supplementing the funding which will be provided by France and Ireland? Will the French and Irish contributions be 50:50 in the sense that both countries will provide the same amount?

On the diagram provided, it looks like the Celtic interconnector will extend into Ireland through the middle of Cork city. My understanding is that it is more likely that the site will be between Carne and New Ross in County Wexford. Will Mr. Slye clarify the matter?

Of the four scenarios provided of tomorrow’s energy supplies, we need to move away from the slow change scenario because it belongs to the last century and involves coal, etc. For the evolving strategies, it would be better to link the other three scenarios of steady evolution, low-carbon living and consumer action. On the PowerPoint diagram Mr. Slye has pointed to what this would involve. We are familiar with electric cars, renewable energy sources, solar panels, consumer action, etc. Surely the future is those three scenarios.