Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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214. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an address (details supplied) in County Galway can connect to the national grid through the provision of solar energy on lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41925/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and I have no function in the matter.

The CER has oversight of the process for connecting generators, both renewable and non-renewable, to the national grid. This is generally referred to as the Group Process Approach (GPA) which has been implemented to date through a series of gates i.e. Gate 1, Gate 2 and Gate 3. Smaller projects (less than 5 MW) can connect outside of the gate process (non GPA).

A party that wishes to connect to the national grid (including solar energy on lands) must apply to the system operator (either Transmission System Operator, EirGrid, or the Distribution System Operator, ESB Networks). The CER has decided (CER/09/099 – available on ) that the following list of technology or classes of technology exhibit public interest benefits and are, therefore, preapproved for processing outside of the GPA: Bioenergy, Combined Heat and Power, Autoproducers, Hydro, Ocean, Wave, Solar, Geothermal and Experimental/Emerging Technology.

It is my understanding that electricity generators (including solar) eligible to be processed outside of the GPA will receive an offer for a connection to the network provided that all technical requirements for connecting to the grid are fulfilled by the applicant.