Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 March 2023
146. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding streams that are available to developers who wish to construct renewable energy infrastructure in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10716/23]
View answer150. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline Government policy in respect of onshore wind; if an onshore wind strategy exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10720/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 150 together.
In Climate Action Plan 2023, Government set an ambitious target of having an 80% share of electricity generation capacity coming from renewable sources by 2030. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help Ireland meet that target.
The first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS 1) was held in 2020 and as a result of that pathway being provided for renewable developers, 2022 was a record year for the connection of renewable electricity capacity to the grid. More RESS 1 projects are expected to connect to the grid throughout 2023.
The second RESS auction (RESS 2) was held in 2022, with the successful projects in that auction representing a nearly 20% increase on current renewable electricity generation capacity. Projects from RESS 2 will start to connect to the grid between the end of this year and 2025.
Officials in my Department are currently working on progressing the next two RESS auctions, RESS 3 for onshore renewables, and ORESS 1 (Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) for offshore wind, with both expected to be held later this year.
