Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for connection to the grid in respect of wind energy generators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45330/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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There are approximately 110 wind farms connected to the electricity grid and this represents a generation capacity of about 1500MW. In addition to this there are approximately 120 wind farms that are currently contracted to connect to the system (i.e. they have received and signed a connection offer from the relevant system operator) and this equates to around 1400MW. There are 150 wind farms that have received or are due to receive a connection offer before June 2011 as part of the Gate 3 process, which contains 3900MW, approximately 90% of which is wind. This level of renewable generation is sufficient to meet our 2020 renewable generation target of 40%, which EirGrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) estimate could require between 4632MW and 5800MW of renewable generation, depending on demand growth assumptions.

Beyond Gate 3 there is approx 11,850MW of renewable generation in the queue (mainly wind) and this represents over 300 applicants. The CER, which has the requisite statutory responsibility, has not come to a decision in relation to applications outside the GATE 3 process.

Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 246.