Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure priority access to the national grid for small scale wind farm projects, anaerobic digesters and district heaters of 3MW or less; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10836/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has statutory responsibility for grid connection offers and for oversight of EirGrid's grid connection process, including the Gate Three process for renewable energy projects which are primarily medium to large scale wind projects.

I welcome the fact that the CER took the decision two years ago, to adopt a more pragmatic and responsive approach to the need of small scale renewable energy generators. Essentially all such grid connections are dealt with outside the Gate Three process and therefore are receiving priority access.

The categories of renewable technologies covered by this arrangement include bioenergy, Combined Heat and Power, and small scale wind projects of 0.5MW or less. Within those headings, small scale anaerobic digesters and district heating are included.