Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to meet the raised target of 40% renewable; his views on calls from EirGrid for more to be done to construct the 250MW per annum needed to reach the renewable targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37140/08]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount and percentage of wind power with access to the national grid; the number of applications awaiting access to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37138/08]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the development of wind energy as a source of renewable energy. [35938/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 151 and 157 together.

The Government has set targets to increase the contribution from renewable energy resources to electricity consumption to 15% by 2010 and 40% by 2020. There are approximately 1200 MWs of renewable energy powered capacity already connected and a further 100 MWs is expected to be connected by the end of Winter 2008. There is in excess of a further 1000 MWs already accepted into the tariff support system, REFIT, which have both planning permissions and connection offers. This will result in a high build rate capable of exceeding the 15% target of approximately 1650 MWs capacity installed and contributing significantly to the subsequent 2020 target.

In excess of 900 MWs of the connected capacity is wind-powered plant which will increase beyond 1000 MWs when additional capacity is commissioned in the coming months. A further 7600 MWs of capacity is awaiting entry into the connection offer process with wind-powered technology dominant. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is currently engaged in a public consultation process to progress at least 3000 MWs for offers within a 'Gate 3' process. Wind energy projects will continue to make the most significant contribution towards the 2020 target. EirGrid has recently launched its Grid Development Strategy to 2025 which sets out overall plans for investment of €4 billion in the transmission system over the period. This essential strategic investment will underpin economic and regional development and will critically enable delivery of the Government's renewable energy target.

The announcement of the 40% target delivers certainty to EirGrid, the Commission for Energy Regulation and all players in relation to the imperative of delivering the necessary grid infrastructure, connections and authorisations to ensure the progressive penetration of renewable energy onto the system. It also sends a strong signal to the renewable energy sector itself as well as to investors and suppliers.