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Wind Energy Generation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Questions (150, 151)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of State investment planned for investment in offshore wind energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39778/20]

View answer

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for State owned offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39779/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.

The electricity generation market in Ireland, the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM), is liberalised and open to both state-owned and private enterprises to compete in line with the requirements of the EU internal energy market. As such, while state-owned bodies may own and operate offshore wind developments, these bodies do so on a commercial basis, and in order to avoid undermining the competitive principles of the I-SEM, the State itself does not directly own or operate, or plan to own or operate, any such generation assets. This is in accordance with the principles of the internal energy market to ensure a competitive, customer-centred electricity market with market-based supply prices.

In order to make progress towards the Programme for Government commitment of 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, my Department is developing the terms and conditions of the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (Offshore RESS). The Offshore RESS will be the means for supporting offshore wind developments via a competitive auction based framework. This competitive element is required under the State Aid clearance for the scheme in order to achieve our renewable energy ambitions at the lowest cost to consumers.

Similar to RESS-1, which my Department ran for onshore technologies earlier this year, the Offshore RESS will function by inviting eligible offshore wind projects to bid for capacity and, if successful at auction, receive a guaranteed 'strike price' for the electricity they generate.

As with RESS-1, a number of cost control measures will be included in the Offshore RESS, details of which will be included in the draft terms and conditions of the scheme, which are planned to be made available early next year for public consultation. The first Offshore RESS auction process will take place before the end of next year.

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