Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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24. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps that he is taking to address Gate access to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10854/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Supervision of the Gate process is vested in the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The Gate process has been designed by the CER specifically to meet Ireland’s national renewable target of 40% of electricity supplied from renewable sources by 2020. It is estimated that around 4,000 MW of renewable generation will be required to meet this target. At the end of 2013 there was over 2,300 MW of renewable generation connected to the grid. The Gate 3 offer and acceptance process concluded late last year, except for a small number of offers which remain live. I understand that around 3,000 MW of generation, mostly renewable, has accepted connection offers.

The CER is currently commencing the process of reviewing the connection and access policy for renewable and non-renewable generators to the grid, post Gate 3. The CER aims to publish a public consultation paper on the new connection policy for renewable and non-renewable generators in Quarter 2, 2014. In developing this policy, consideration will be given to Ireland’s renewable targets, the requirements of system operators and the likely rate of build out of Gate 3 connections. This consultation will also take account of learnings from the Gate 3 process. As yet, the CER has not taken any decisions on the nature, scale or criteria for connection and access policy post Gate 3.