Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 January 2016
168. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the introduction of a renewable heat initiative (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2501/16]
View answerI published the The Energy White Paper 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030' on 16 December last. The White Paper sets out a high-level framework for Ireland's energy transition to a low carbon economy and society and identifies a range of measures and actions to support this aim. One key measure is the design of a new renewable heat incentive (RHI) support scheme in 2016 for a range of renewable generation technologies in the heating sector. The RHI will be a national renewable support scheme open to participants across the country subject to a range of criteria that will be published when the scheme becomes available at the end of 2016. The first of three public consultations on the design of the new renewable heat incentive was published in July 2015. The initial phase of this consultation process, which closed on 18 September 2015, was designed to review the technology options that may be supported by any new scheme.
There will be two additional public consultation phases in 2016. The second phase in the consultation process will explore the potential design options for the structure of the support scheme, while the final phase will seek feedback on the preferred design option and implementation. These consultation phases will give interested parties further opportunities to participate in the development of the support scheme. Details will be advertised on the Department’s website www.dcenr.gov.ie in 2016.
It is expected that the new scheme will be announced towards the end of this year subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission.
