Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
53. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the next renewable energy support scheme, RESS, auction will commence; the terms and conditions made available; if delays are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9810/21]
View answer66. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when details of the new renewable electricity support scheme will be announced; if community ownership will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10344/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 66 together.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is a flagship policy to deliver on the Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan target of at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030. Following a successful first auction under the scheme last year, my Department is currently designing the next onshore auction, as well as the first offshore auction.
The first RESS auction already included a standalone category for community owned projects which protects them from having to compete with larger scale developments in the auction. I intend that this community category will continue in the second onshore auction, to enable communities to generate their own electricity and to promote further growth in this area.
In addition, I announced on 4 February last that all projects applying to the community category in future RESS auctions must be 100% community owned. Communities will now be able to retain all the benefits that are associated with generating their own electricity.
Detailed work is underway on the planning and design of the second RESS onshore auction. A timetable will be published in the coming months which will set out the key milestones including consultation on the terms and conditions, the qualification process and the auction bidding window.
