Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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784. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider using the Kilbarry project in Waterford city as a pilot scheme to reassess planning restrictions regarding the ESB grid access. [31052/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I am not aware of the details regarding grid access for the Kilbarry development, however if the Deputy has further information in that regard and can forward the details I will ask my officials to examine the matter further if there are any relevant policy issues arising.

I have no function in relation to planning requirements for connections to the electricity grid. Planning applications are generally made to the relevant local planning authority with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála (the Board).  Applications for larger wind energy projects (with 25 turbines and above or having a total output greater than 50 megawatts) are made directly to the Board under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.

The regulation of the electricity network (including the management of the grid connection process) is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent statutory body.