Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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152. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to wind generated electricity will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22012/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The 11% “dispatch down” referred to by the Deputy comes from an operational report on renewables produced by EirGrid on a quarterly basis. The “dispatch down” is split into two categories, constraints and curtailment. Constraints relate to insufficient grid network and curtailment to a surplus of non-synchronous technologies, such as wind, on the system.The 11% is currently evenly split between curtailment and constraints. The issue of whether the windfarm gets paid when dispatched down is currently as follows: curtailment is not paid and constraints are only compensated in limited circumstances where the generator has a guarantee of delivery from the network operators, EirGrid or ESB Networks.

To mitigate the issue of constraints there is now an obligation on the network owners to enhance the grid network so that constraints are minimised.

Amongst other benefits, interconnection provides an outlet for the export of surplus levels of renewable energy such as wind, thereby reducing curtailment levels. The Climate Action Plan states the importance of developing further interconnection to facilitate Ireland’s 2030 target of 70% renewable electricity. More recently, the Programme for Government further emphasises its importance and commits to “commence planning for future interconnection with our neighbours” and to “strengthen the policy framework to incentivise electricity storage and interconnection “

The costs of interconnection are included in the costs of electricity networks as part of a regulated asset base. These costs, ultimately borne by all electricity consumers over the long term - typically 40 years - are approved by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

The 2018 National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection outlines the process for the development of electricity interconnectors and the role of the CRU in the assessment of applicant projects in the public interest. There are currently two further electricity interconnectors - the Celtic Interconnector to France and Greenlink interconnector to Great Britain - in development, with Celtic due to become operational in 2025/26 and Greenlink in 2023.

Delivering on 70% renewable energy by 2030 is one of the key policies set out in the Climate Action Plan and Programme for Government to decarbonise the economy. Reaching the 70% target will deliver significant GHG emission reductions in the electricity sector, to approximately 4-5 Mt by 2030 compared to 12Mt in 2017.