Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016
758. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current position regarding submitting proposals to the European Union for a grant scheme for the provision of wood pellet burners in houses and for commercial use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23741/16]
View answerThe White Paper on Energy Policy includes a commitment to introduce a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) designed to encourage the development of Ireland’s abundant, diverse and indigenous renewable energy resource, including bioenergy. The Programme for Government commits to facilitating the development of bioenergy projects in Ireland and the development of the RHI.
My Department is working on the introduction of a new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to support the deployment of renewable energy for commercial and industrial users of heat in the non-Emissions Trading Sector (ETS). Analysis is underway to inform the actual cost of the RHI and, while no decision has been taken on the precise renewable technologies to be supported, biomass combustion is one of the technologies being examined as part of the assessment process. The primary aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heat sector and help to reach Ireland's 12% renewable heat target by 2020.
Before a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is introduced, the overall costs and technologies to be supported will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. It is expected that a new scheme will become available in 2017.
