Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 408: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is planning to update the SEAI wind atlas; his views that some of the best wind speed data measured to up 80m above ground is in the hands of the State and semi-State bodies in his remit; if he will contact the State and semi-State agencies in his remit seeking that they provide all of their wind data to SEAI in order that it can be included in the SEAI modelling of our wind resources to ensure that we get best value for money from the SEAI project. [27568/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) wind atlas published in 2003 provides wind data on a county by county basis for wind turbine hub heights of 50, 75 and 100m. It was primarily intended as an information tool for local authorities in identifying areas suitable for renewable energy development within County Development Plans. Local authorities have subsequently utilised the SEAI wind atlas as the basis for developing county wind energy strategies.

SEAI is now engaged in the process of producing an updated wind atlas and has recently issued an invitation to tender based on a new technical ITT specification for an updated atlas. This includes the minimum requirement of "Information at 20m, 30m, 40m, 50m, 75m, 100m, 125m and 150m above ground/sea level". The choice of 150m as the maximum hub height for the exercise is in line with technology developments. Currently commercially available wind turbine tower heights are below 150m. Future commercially available wind turbine towers are deemed unlikely to exceed this height for some time.

It is the case that both private and State owned companies, active in the commercial development and operation of wind farms hold wind speed data. The extent to which such data can be obtained and deployed by SEAI and its consultants for the new wind atlas will depend on commercial considerations. I would however expect that all State bodies would, as far as is practicable, co-operate in the completion of this important public good piece of research.