Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 968: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for admission to the national electricity grid; their 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. [29194/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department is advised that the current number of applications for connection to the national electricity network at transmission and distribution voltages is 320 applicants from the wind/renewable sector, comprising approximately 8,000MW, and 14 applicants from the conventional generation or interconnection projects comprising 2,400MW.

Together with current transmission projects undertaken by EirGrid, including the North-South and Cavan-Meath Transmission lines, and the East-West Interconnector, I am confident that we will deliver on our objectives as set out in the National Development Plan and in the Government's White Paper on Energy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 969: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in regard to the provision of North-South and east-west interconnectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29195/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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EirGrid is the State body with responsibility for operating the electricity transmission system in Ireland, including the wholesale electricity trading system. It delivers connections, transmission and market services to generators, suppliers and customers, using the high voltage electricity system. It is also responsible for planning the construction of high voltage transmission lines.

EirGrid's Meath-Cavan project is required to provide essential reinforcement to the transmission grid in the North East. The Cavan-Tyrone project, which EirGrid is developing together with Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) in Northern Ireland, is required to underpin the all-island electricity market and provide for the free flow of electricity North and South.

EirGrid launched a consultation process on these lines in 2007, and has engaged with over 11,000 stakeholders. The additional knowledge gained during the consultation will be taken into consideration in the route selection process. A final route has not yet been selected by EirGrid and consultation is ongoing. EirGrid will be required to complete an Environmental Impact Statement on its preferred route as part of its submission to the planning authority — the Strategic Infrastructure Board of An Bord Pleanála.

In the course of EirGrid's pre-planning public consultations on proposed routes for the North-South and Meath-Cavan transmission lines, concerns were expressed locally about the impacts of overhead transmission lines. Noting that these concerns are likely to be common to all transmission line projects, and in order to provide clarity on issues in relation to overhead versus underground transmission lines, I decided that my Department would commission an independent study on the general issue.

The Independent Study on the Comparative Merits of Overhead Electricity Transmission Lines versus Underground Cables was published this week. The study was conducted by International consultants Ecofys, in partnership with Golder Associates, a global group specialising in ground engineering and environmental services.

The study represents an impartial, independent, technical assessment on the relative merits of overhead electricity lines versus underground cables, and provides important further information that can used to facilitate decision making for current and future individual projects, including the North-South and Cavan-Meath Transmission line projects.

I have referred the report to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the consultants will be available to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee with a view to presenting the findings of the Study. I have also forwarded the study to EirGrid.

The East-West Interconnector is a 500MW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnector which will link the electricity grids of Ireland and Britain. This project is of strategic national importance to Ireland and is recognised as such in the Energy White Paper and the National Development Plan. It will contribute to reliability and security of electricity supply, promote competition in the market and facilitate the integration of renewables. EirGrid has been entrusted with the development and ownership of this interconnector by the Government. Working closely with the CER and with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, significant progress has been made. The Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill, has recently passed all stages in the Dáil and Seanad, with all party-support. The Bill provides the necessary legal basis for EirGrid to construct, own and operate an interconnector. The project remains on track to meet the target completion date of 2012, subject to the outcome of the planning processes.