Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of wind farms he has sanctioned; the number of applications he has received and the number currently in the process of being built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39617/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Those seeking to build wind farms require a grid connection in order to be able to export the electricity generated to the national electricity grid. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is statutorily responsible for grid connection. The "Gate" process was established by the CER as the mechanism for processing applications from renewable generators. The processing and issuance of grid connection offers to renewable generators are grouped rather than dealt with on an individual basis.

Under Gate 1 and Gate 2, 1755MW of connection offers were made to renewable generators and accepted. Under Gate 3, over 3900MW of offers were made to renewable generators. The total amount of renewable generation under Gates 1, 2 and 3 is capable of delivering Ireland's 40% renewable electricity target. Between 175MW and 200MW of windfarms are expected to be connected to the grid this year. EirGrid's website www.eirgrid.com provides lists of connected and contracted wind farm developments with indicative connection dates for those contracted. The group processing approach facilitates a strategic approach to be taken to network building requirements and aims to put in place efficient connection solutions to cater for large number of applications to ensure optimum network development, minimising network costs and avoidance of network bottlenecks.

Over and above those projects in the Gate process, I am advised that EirGrid and ESB Networks are in receipt of many expressions of interest to connect several thousand megawatts of onshore and offshore wind to the grid.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received any applications for the construction of hydro-electric water dams; if these applications have been processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39618/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Under a process established by the Commission for Energy Regulation, renewable generators apply for a grid connection to either EirGrid (for the high voltage transmission grid) or to ESB Networks (for the lower or medium voltage distribution system). The information on hydro-electric water dams (valid up to 1st November 2011) is available on the EirGrid (Transmission system Operator – TSO) website at www.eirgrid.com and is listed in the following table.

As can be seen from the table, there are currently 14 hydro installations totalling 212MW connected to the transmission system, and 56 hydro installations totalling 25.4MW connected to the distribution system. Beyond that, there are a further 3 hydro installations totalling 0.9MW that are contracted for connection, 2 totalling 0.1MW which are energised (i.e. construction complete but not yet able to export to the grid), 2 totalling 0.1MW that are live (i.e. in receipt of a grid connection offer) and one that is in the queue (i.e. seeking an offer.)

Pumped hydro storage projects are not "run of river" hydro using dams on rivers. Turlough Hill is a pumped storage project not included in the above figures. Under the energy regulator's Gate group processing approach, EirGrid issued connection offers to two pumped storage projects totalling 70MW. One of these offers was not taken up. A further 8 applications totalling 2270MW have been submitted to the system operators in respect of grid connections for hydro pumped storage. These applications are not currently part of any Gate process.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the required documentation sought by the project promoters to allow the construction of the proposed plant (details supplied) in County Offaly to proceed. [39656/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring in the context of the plant mentioned to the Biomass REFIT support scheme. This scheme has received State Aid clearance from DG Competition in Brussels and will open shortly once Government approval has been obtained. Once the scheme is opened, all the relevant documentation will be made available and applications can be made under the scheme.