Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of wind farms which have been connected to the national grid in each of the past five years; if the Government's target of 500mw generated by wind energy has been achieved to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31310/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The amount of installed wind generation at the end of 2001 was 123MW, at 2002 it was 136MW, at 2003 it was 210MW, at 2004 it was 341MW and at 2005 it was 493.5MW. The amount of installed wind generation currently amounts to 598.6MW.

EirGrid publishes lists of renewable projects connected to the networks and other projects which have signed connection agreements but have not yet connected on its website www.eirgrid.com.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has to support the rapidly rising cost of survey work associated with a feasibility assessment of wind farms; his views on whether this is a barrier to development of such facilities by community groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31416/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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All support programmes operated by my Department for new renewable energy powered electricity generating plants separated wind energy proposals by size into large and small-scale categories. The price offered to small-scale projects is higher than is permitted for large scale projects in recognition of the higher unit costs incurred.

The small-scale wind category is designed to support project proposals developed by small-scale project developers including community groups.

The costs associated with the development of each phase of a project proposal and a decision whether to proceed further is a commercial judgement for the project developers.

On Friday last I announced the most recent allocation of support under the current Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) support programme. Support was allocated to all compliant projects submitted in every category, including twenty projects in the small-scale wind category.