Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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367. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the context of 2020 renewable targets, the action he intends to take with regard to the slow rate of progress of DS3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54269/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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EirGrid and the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) have embarked on a multi-year programme "Delivering a Secure, Sustainable Electricity System" (DS3) which is designed to ensure that we can securely operate the power system with increasing amounts of variable non-synchronous renewable generation. Together with the on-going work on infrastructure development (Grid25 in Ireland and Network25 in Northern Ireland) and the addition of renewable generation capacity, the DS3 programme is critical to meeting the all-island renewable electricity requirement of 40% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020. The all-island power system is already operating with one of the highest percentages of renewables anywhere in the world, relative to the size of the system, bringing unique challenges with regard to management of the variability of the generation while maintaining ongoing power system stability and security. The DS3 work programme seeks to address these challenges bringing together many different strands, including development of financial incentive products for better plant performance, and development of new operational policies and system tools to use the portfolio to the best of its capabilities. Standards for wind farms and conventional plant are also being reviewed to give enhanced operational flexibility for the future.

With regard to the DS3 programme, my Department actively monitors progress through representation on the DS3 Advisory Council. This Council, which was set up by Eirgrid and SONI to ensure that all stakeholders are represented within the DS3 programme, provides a forum through which my Department can provide guidance and take action where appropriate.