Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on an issue (details supplied) regarding wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13016/11]

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 process for renewable energy. I have no function in the matter.

EirGrid, the Transmission System Operator, has published a GRID25 development plan which outlines in detail the upgrades and grid reinforcement required in each region in Ireland between now and 2025 to cater for future regional electricity growth and to accommodate new generation, particularly new renewable generation onto the system.

In the South-West region which includes Kerry and Cork, EirGrid identified the need to significantly reinforce the transmission system in the region by upgrading around 130km of the existing and new transmission system. This strengthening of the system will facilitate the movement of new electricity generation to the South East and other higher electricity demand regions. The plan is available to the public on the EirGrid website.

There is currently over 1,475MW megawatts (MWs) of wind capacity connected in Ireland. The contribution from renewable energy connected to the electricity grid, mainly wind, is increasing very steadily from year to year. Renewable generation contributed over 13% of all electricity consumed in 2010 compared to just 4.4% in 2003.

To ensure the renewable electricity connection process operates efficiently and to keep the industry informed of developments, the Commission for Energy Regulation has established a Gate 3 connection Liaison Group involving all stakeholders, including EirGrid and the renewable industry associations. The objective is to ensure the connection offer process is completed quickly, transparently and effectively.