Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding onshore wind projects which are currently outside the gate three process; his views on whether onshore wind projects with a potential of 30 MW which have all the required planning will be given grid connection in the future; the criteria for inclusion in the consultation process for grid application; his position on onshore wind projects outside the gate three process; the number of applications awaiting grid connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16253/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Applications for grid connections are made to ESB Networks or Eirgrid in the first instance. The latest figures published by Eirgrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) show that there are currently over 1,300 megawatts (MW) of renewable capacity connected to the system with a further 1,500 MW with signed connection agreements or in the final stages of agreeing one and a further 3,900 MW of capacity awaiting connections offers within the Gate 3 process. It is estimated that a combined capacity of 5800 MW is required to deliver the national target of 40% electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The combined capacity of projects built, underway and gate 3 projects is likely to exceed that level.

Additional data from CER indicates that there are in the region of 7,000 MW of further applications for connection. However, there is currently no breakdown of the technologies in this latter group available.

The decision by CER on Gate 3 is capable of delivering the national targets for the contribution from renewable energy resources to electricity consumed by 2020. Any queries thereafter about individual connection offers including the criteria for prioritising projects is a matter for CER.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 392: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if approaches have been made to him to locate a marine based research and development initiative for the west coast in the Shannon Estuary which would involve the installation of large prototype hydro turbines and wind bobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16256/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Ocean Energy Development Unit within Sustainable Energy Ireland is implementing the Government's Ocean Energy Programme which includes investment in facilities at University College Cork (UCC) and the development of a grid-connected wave energy test site off Annagh, County Mayo. I am not aware of any proposals to locate additional ocean energy research facilities at other locations at this time.