Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I acknowledge that I have had discussions with EirGrid which were helpful. I am asking that something more firm, like a commitment, would be given by next summer because investors in projects are being asked to spend a lot of money on signing up connection agreements by that date and they need to know where they stand in respect of the implementation of smart grid technology to stretch capacity on the existing structure. Unless we take this innovative approach and try to upgrade it and get more out of it, which the technology allows, we will not realise our wind or wave or any other capacity potential because the final infrastructure is many years down the line. We need to consider all the other options. My understanding is that the cost of some of the smart grid technologies would be borne to a great extent by the generators. I am not saying that there are not cases where there may be some socialisation of the cost. These projects are very far advanced and need this type of assurance from EirGrid and while I respect the fact that they have to do their job the Minister's interest is in achieving the renewable energy targets for wind-generated electricity. I am asking that they might be guided in that direction.

See this speech in context