Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 536: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of alternative energy generation projects operational or pending throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3832/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The EirGrid website contains a list of connected and contracted generators, both wind and non wind generators, and the locations of these throughout the country – see http://www.eirgrid.com/customers/connectedandcontractedgenerators/

EirGrid and ESB Networks have provided the following information specifically relating to County Kildare

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 537: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent of wind generated electricity projects operational throughout the country; the extent of production; the number and location of such projects awaiting approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3833/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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EirGrid publishes comprehensive and regularly updated lists of connected wind farms and contracted wind farms throughout the country on its website at http://www.eirgrid.com/customers/connectedandcontractedgenerators/

As of 12 January 2010, there was 1260MW of installed wind capacity on the system and as of 25 November 2009, there was a further 1415MW of wind projects contracted to connect.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and EirGrid have calculated that around 5,800 megawatts (MWs) of renewable capacity will be required to deliver the 40% target in 2020.

The CER decision on the 'Gate 3' round provides for connection offers for 4,000 MW of additional renewable electricity capacity. Approximately 90% of these offers are wind powered capacity including around 800 MW of offshore wind. The list of projects included in the Gate 3 decision can be found in the CER Decision 08/260, which can be found on its website at: www.cer.ie. Gate 3 connection offers began to issue in December 2009 and rollout of the offers will continue on a phased basis over the next 18 months.

The decision by CER on Gate 3 projects is potentially capable of delivering the 40% national target for the contribution from renewable energy resources to electricity consumed by 2020. In the event of any non take-up of the Gate 3 offers, the CER would intend to add replacement projects, to ensure delivery of the 2020 target.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which alternative electricity generation is expected to affect a reduction in energy prices in the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3834/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Wind generation is the most abundantly available alternative renewable energy technology in Ireland. The development of onshore wind generation in the Irish electricity system is supported under the Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) which guarantees a minimum price for wind generation. This cost is recouped through a public service obligation (PSO) paid by all electricity users. For the last two years the overall PSO levy has been set at zero by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) due to a combination of offsetting factors.

Recently completed research by CER and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) respectively have examined the costs of renewable electricity under a range of scenarios including fossil fuel and carbon prices to 2020. Their respective research generally concludes that high levels of wind capacity can provide a hedge against high fossil fuel prices particularly gas prices. It is the case that when fossil fuel and carbon prices are low, high wind penetration will be more expensive.

The ESRI concludes overall that in a scenario of mid range to high oil and gas prices over the coming years extensive wind generation could facilitate reductions in Irish electricity prices. I agree with the ESRI that investment in renewable energy provides a valuable insurance policy against the risk of future high fossil fuel and carbon prices as well as achieving a significant reduction in emissions. I also agree with the International Energy Agency that the era of cheap oil is over.

The impact which renewable electricity will have on Irish electricity prices in 2015 will depend on the price of fossil fuels and carbon at that time.