Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2018
562. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he is taking to put additional resources in place to ensure that the renewable electricity support scheme, RESS, receives state aid approval in the EU and that the first auctions take place as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42333/18]
View answerThe high level design of the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) was approved by Government in July 2018 and it is expected that the first renewable electricity auctions will take place under RESS in 2019. The RESS will be subject to the new rules on public support for projects in the field of energy, adopted by the European Commission in April 2014, which seek to promote a gradual move to market-based support for renewable energy. In this regard, the scheme has been designed in line with the 2014-2020 EU State Aid Guidelines.
The RESS has been designed to deliver Ireland’s contribution towards an EU-wide renewable energy target of 32% out to 2030, within a competitive auction-based, cost effective framework. The RESS will deliver a broad range of policy objectives including: the provision of pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects; broadening the renewable electricity technology mix and increasing energy security, energy sustainability and ensuring the cost effectiveness of energy policy.
The scheme will provide for a renewable electricity (RES-E) ambition of up to a maximum of 55% by 2030 subject to determining the cost effective level which will be set out in Ireland's first draft National Energy and Climate Plan.
My Department is now progressing the RESS design across three main work streams: the EU State Aid approval process; the development of an Enabling Framework for Community Participation; and the detailed design of the first RESS auctions. Engagement with relevant stakeholders including the European Commission’s Directorate-General (DG) for Competition, will continue in the coming months and Departmental resources will be assigned accordingly.
