Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment how many solar farms other than micro-generated solar energy are currently plugged into the national grid. [15681/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Overall, 2022 was a record year for the connection of new renewable electricity generation to the electricity network.

With regard to solar generation projects, a total estimated capacity of 559 MW of solar is currently connected to the electricity grid. ESB Networks, the Distribution System Operator, have 220 solar generation project connections registered, excluding micro-generation customer connections. EirGrid, the Transmission System Operator, report having 3 transmission system connected solar generation projects.

Under the Climate Action Plan 2023, Ireland has a target of 8 GW of solar by 2030 as part of a programme of work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector in line with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act.