Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of applications for admission to the National electricity grid; the expected generation capacity and its source; if the indicators are in accord with the projections set out in the National Development Plan or the Government's White Paper on Energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11430/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The grid connection application and delivery process is a matter for the appropriate network generator under the supervision of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). I have no statutory function in the matter.

However, I am advised that applications for connection to the national grid from conventional fossil fuel or renewable generators are received on a continuous basis by EirGrid, the independent State company, which operates Ireland's transmission system. Connections by renewable generators are processed together in batches under criteria decided on by the CER.

EirGrid and the operator of the distribution system, ESB Networks, are currently processing connection offers to over 120 renewable generators, equivalent to over 1,300 MW of renewable capacity. It is expected that these connection offers will roll out from April to December of this year, increasing the amount of renewable generation connected to the network over the next few years. It means that Ireland is on course to meet the White Paper's target of 15% or electricity consumption coming from renewable energy sources by 2010, and it will also assist in Ireland working towards the White Paper's target of 33% of consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

In addition, applications for grid connection of two conventional CCGT generating stations in the South West, with a combined export capacity of around 860MW, have also been received by EirGrid and offers have recently issued to the developers — BGÉ and ESB Power Generation.

The published data record there are 69 wind energy projects with a capacity of 744MW already connected to the national grid. There are a further 37 projects with a capacity of 547MW contracted for connections and a further 117 projects with a capacity of 1,300MW in the process of receiving connection offers and a further 99 projects with a capacity of 1,933MW at more preliminary stages in the connection process.