Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of onshore windfarms and the number of offshore windfarms currently being constructed here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16372/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Information on numbers of wind farms currently being constructed are not held by my Department, EirGrid (the Transmission System Operator) or ESB Networks (the Distribution System Operator). However, data published by EirGrid indicates that 25 larger wind farms are contracted to connect to the high voltage transmission grid and data published by ESB Networks shows that 74 wind farms are contracted to connect to the low voltage distribution grid. In addition, the Gate 3 programme allows for the issuance of connection offers to over 150 renewable generators (mostly wind farms), with a combined capacity of approximately 4,000 MW. There are 3 offshore wind projects in the Gate 3 process awaiting connection offers to the transmission grid. No offshore wind distribution projects are currently under construction in the Republic of Ireland.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he recognises the benefits of developing offshore windfarms as opposed to onshore windfarms, which risk causing noise pollution and blighting the countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16376/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Keeping the cost of energy in Ireland as low as possible is important for all consumers and plays a critical role in maintaining our overall economic competiveness. Late last year the Government agreed with my decision on cost grounds not to proceed with an application to the European Commission for State Aid clearance for a higher priced feed in tariff to support offshore wind development in the Irish electricity market.

While offshore wind is already being deployed in several Member States as part of delivering on their national renewable energy targets, it is still a very expensive technology to deploy, typically costing double the price of deploying onshore wind. Offshore wind currently costs in the region of €3 million per megawatt to deploy compared to the cost of onshore wind which is around €1.5 million per megawatt.

Ireland’s deployment of renewable energy sources in electricity has been increasing steadily in recent years as we work North and South, to deliver a 40% level of renewable electricity consumption by 2020. There has been good progress from 5% renewable electricity in 2005 to around 17% renewable electricity at present. The challenge is to steadily increase renewable electricity generation in the all island market from onshore wind and biomass year on year towards 2020.

However, in order to ensure that Ireland continues to meet its renewable energy targets and at the same time ensure that wind energy does not have negative impacts on local communities, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government – in conjunction with my Department and other stakeholders – is undertaking a targeted review of certain aspects of the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006. This review will examine the manner in which the Guidelines address key issues of community concern such as noise (including separation distance) and shadow flicker.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if regulations are in place regarding the construction of onshore windfarms here that are financed by foreign companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16378/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The construction of onshore wind farms in Ireland is subject to the Planning and Development Acts, including the requirements for public consultation irrespective of the source of funding for their construction. Best practice Wind Energy Guidelines were also published in 2006. Currently, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government – in conjunction with my Department and other stakeholders – is undertaking a targeted review of certain aspects of the 2006 guidelines. This review will examine the manner in which the guidelines address key issues of community concern such as noise (including separation distance) and shadow flicker, in order to ensure that Ireland continues to meet its renewable energy targets and at the same time ensure that wind energy does not have negative impacts on local communities.

In addition to planning permission, in order to connect to the electricity grid in Ireland, wind farm developers require a grid connection. The grid connection process is vested in the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). CER issued its Gate 3 direction in December 2008 (CER 08/260 available at www.cer.ie). This sets out the list of renewable generators entitled to a grid connection offer under the Gate 3 process. The Department monitors the number of windfarms connected to the grid and contracted to connect to the grid (i.e. that have accepted their grid connection offers). This data is publicly available on the EirGrid and ESB Networks websites (www.eirgrid.com and www.esb.ie).