Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The Minister correctly said that it is the plan of the Government to obtain approximately 4,000 MW from onshore wind farms. We currently have the capacity for more than 1,000 MW on the grid, but there are more than 8,000 MW worth of applications. We need to be honest with people and tell them that at least half of the consortia that plan to produce power from wind will not actually get a connection. That is the issue. It is a potential financial crisis for the people who have invested.

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