Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proportion of electricity now generated through wind or alternative energy resources; the extent to which targets in this regard can be revised and updated with particular reference to the need to reduce dependence on imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2827/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the national grid has become less dependent on imported energy sources over the past five years; his future plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2830/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 147 together.

EirGrid's latest data, which is available on their website, shows that at the end of 2011, there is 1900MW of renewable generation on the national grid. This includes 1630MW of connected wind, 234MW of hydro and 46MW of additional other renewable generation. Ireland's achievement in terms of the level of wind integrated on to a small island system is recognised as ground breaking.

In addition to what is already connected, there is around 1000MW from Gate 1 and Gate 2 which have contracted with the system operators and are scheduled to be built out and connected. Around 4,000MW of additional renewable capacity is provided for in the Gate 3 process.

The strategic focus will continue to be on achieving Ireland's legally binding targets for renewable energy by 2020. In that context 40% renewable electricity is challenging but achievable and I would not be countenancing revision upward at this juncture.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he can take to speed up access to the national grid for various wind energy projects in respect of which planning permission has been granted or is pending in all regions throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2828/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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EirGrid's data, available on their website www.eirgrid.com , indicates that at the end of 2011, there were 1630MW of wind generation connected to the grid, making up the bulk of our total of 1900MW of renewable generation connected.

The latest modelling undertaken by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), ('Energy Forecasts for Ireland to 2020 [2011]), indicates that capacity of around 4000MW of renewable generation will be required on the system to deliver the 40% renewable electricity target by 2020.

In addition to the 1900MW already connected, there is around 1000MW from Gate 1 and Gate 2 which have contracted with the system operators and are scheduled to be built out and connected. Around 4,000MW of additional renewable capacity is provided for in the Gate 3 process.

All Gate 3 offers have now issued, however it is not yet known what the final level of take-up of offers is. This should become clear this year, when constraint reports are issued by EirGrid, following which those in receipt of offers will have a fixed period within which to accept offers. EirGrid's Incremental Capacity Transfer (ITC) programme links the Gate 3 process and Grid 25 investment and plans to deliver the required increase in annual construction.

Even allowing for a level of attrition in the planned connection rate (the 3 Gate processes to date), there is still a fair amount of leeway in the overall figures to allow for the national target to be delivered. There is also the scope to put in place at an appropriate time a follow on plan-led onshore connection programme in the event of any necessary further capacity being required to meet the 2020 target.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of locations throughout the country currently producing bio-diesel or ethanol; the number of any such projects pending or awaiting approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2829/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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According to the most recent Biofuels Obligation Scheme Annual Report, there were four entities producing biofuels participating in the Biofuel Obligation Scheme. Two of these companies were based in County Wexford, one was in County Kerry and one was in Galway.