Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when Eirgrid will report to him on cost benefit analysis and feasibility planning for electricity interconnection with north west Europe; the reason they will not report sooner; the reason he has not placed greater priority on the project; if, in his view this failure to place greater priority on the project will not lead to a situation where Ireland is highly dependent on the UK for both fuel to generate electricity and electricity itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35476/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government attaches the highest priority to the development of electricity interconnection between Ireland and other EU Member States. The Energy Policy Framework underlines this commitment, which will contribute to security of supply and competitiveness. Greater interconnection between Member States is also a key priority for the European Union to ensure the effective working of the Internal Market.

I can advise the deputy that EirGrid is currently at an advanced stage in the planning of the second North South electricity interconnector with Northern Ireland, which will more than double the current cross-border power transfer capacity to over 600 megawatts (MW) and of the 500 MW East West electricity interconnector with Great Britain. While the immediate focus is on the delivery of the North South and East West electricity interconnectors, no later than 2012, EirGrid will be undertaking in the short term the necessary cost benefit analysis and feasibility planning for further interconnection with the UK and potentially with Europe.

The work that EirGrid is currently undertaking, together with the Commission for Energy Regulation, in planning and developing the East West interconnector will be clearly relevant to the development of further interconnection options, particularly in terms of appropriate technologies and projected costs.

Enhanced interconnection with the UK in the first instance will improve both the competitiveness and the security of Irish energy supplies through access to one of the most highly developed energy markets in Europe. The UK market is in turn linked to the wider European energy markets by both gas and electricity interconnectors and has recently invested heavily in additional import infrastructure including Liquefied Natural Gas terminals.

Connected wind capacity will reach over 900 MW by year end, which will represent a very significant increase of over 25% of installed wind capacity since the start of 2007. It is also a priority to ensure the provision of flexible generation plant to accommodate electricity coming on to the system from wind generation. The successful establishment of the All Island Single Electricity Market will contribute to ensuring the security, reliability and competitiveness of electricity supplies throughout the island.