I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 266 together.
Government policy is supportive of community participation in community-owned energy projects. This is reflected in the Programme for Government and the Energy White Paper.
The Programme for Government commits to:
- providing support for community-led projects in the initial stages of development, planning and construction; and
- establishing a register of community benefit payments, and examining shared-ownership opportunities for renewable energy projects in local communities supporting, in particular, the emerging energy co-operative movement as one means of facilitating community participation.
These commitments reflect the extensive range of actions set out in the Energy White Paper published last December. I would in particular draw the Deputy's attention to Chapter 4 of the Energy White Paper and the enabling actions for widening the opportunity for community participation, set out therein, which also include:
- supporting community participation in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, via the SEAI, to share best practice, provide information and ensure that local strategies align with broader Government policy;
- facilitating access to the national grid for designated renewable electricity projects, and developing mechanisms to allow communities to avail of payment for electricity, such as the ability to participate in power purchase agreements;
- providing funding and supports for community-led projects in the initial stages of development, planning and construction. These will be defined using criteria such as scheme size and degree of community ownership; providing a new support scheme for renewable electricity which will be available from 2016;
- developing a framework for how communities can share in the benefits of substantial new energy infrastructure which is located in their area;
- exploring the scope to provide market support for micro generation. This will be informed by an SEAI analysis of the potential of technologies in the field of small-scale wind, solar, micro-CHP and small-scale hydro;
- engaging with local government on advising consumers on energy efficiency initiatives and clean energy options, integrating energy options, scoping the opportunities for demand and supply related local energy action through integrating energy issues into local area planning, and bringing stakeholders together to find locally appropriate solutions that bridge the gap between demand and supply (e.g. biomass fuel, district heating solutions).
Several of the actions are already being implemented and the remaining actions will be taken forward as part of the process of implementing the White Paper and Programme for Government commitments.
Many communities are interested in being involved in the energy transition as evidenced by the participation in SEAI’s Better Energy Communities and Sustainable Energy Communities programmes. Already, more than 12,000 homes and hundreds of shared community facilities have been upgraded through this programme. I hope to make an announcement on the successful applicants to the 2016 programme shortly.
National policy also sets out the need for project-based supports. The development of the Renewable Electricity Planning and Development Framework (due later this year) will include a framework for communities to share in the benefits of new energy infrastructure and examine shared-ownership opportunities for renewable energy projects in their local area.
In terms of grid connection policy, I note that the Commission for Energy Regulation’s recent consultation specifically requested responses to outline what issues should be taken into consideration regarding community based schemes.
