Written answers
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Alternative Energy Projects
9:00 pm
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of wind farm projects nationally currently at gate three status; the number of these projects in County Galway; the potential capacity of these projects; the number likely to proceed in 2010; the number which have proceeded to construction and connection in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; the steps he will take to encourage greater acceptance and clearance by the agency responsible; his plans to upgrade the national network to be capable of accepting the potential generation capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2385/10]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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There are currently 153 wind farm projects proceeding through the Gate 3 process. The list of Renewable Projects in Gate 3 has been published by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and available on its website (http://www.cer.ie).
There are 10 Wind Farm projects in Gate 3 located in the Galway area. The total capacity applied for is 407.59 MW. 8 of these projects are due to receive offers under the Gate programme before the end of October 2010 and the remaining two are scheduled to receive offers before the end of June 2011. Following the execution of the offer, details of the next steps in consents and construction are discussed with the applicant. The decision document, referred to above, was issued by the CER (CER-09077). It sets out standard lead times and charges as guidance for applicants as to the time involved in the development of their connection to the system.
EirGrid has published two further documents ('Connected Wind Farms' 12/1/2010 and 'Contracted Wind Farms' 25/11/09), which list those wind farms that are contracted, have signed offers and are now connected to the system. The documents also detail the month and year in which offers are signed and the connection date of each wind farm. Connections and contracts for 2007, 2008 and 2009 are set out in the following table.
| Connected Wind Farms | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 |
| Transmission Systems Operator | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Distribution Systems Operator | 6 | 10 | 3 |
| Total | 13 | 13 | 4 |
| Contracted (Signed Offer) Wind Farms | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 |
| Transmission Systems Operator | 0 | 11 | 2 |
| Distribution Systems Operator | 9 | 58 | 23 |
| Total | 9 | 69 | 25 |
To ensure the Gate 3 process operates efficiently and transparently, and to keep the industry stakeholders informed of developments, the CER has established a Gate 3 Liaison Group involving all stakeholders, including the renewable industry associations. The objective is to ensure the connection offer process is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Both EirGrid and ESB are to invest significantly in the distribution and transmission networks in support of renewable energy. EirGrid's grid strategy 'GRID25' sets out the overall strategic approach to grid development over the next decade and beyond. The strategy will see an investment of over â¬4 billion in the transmission system, with both new lines and upgrading of old lines. ESB Networks is similarly investing in the distribution network under its capital programme to 2020.
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