Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
88. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the community projects successful in RESS1; the MW that will be delivered from these projects; if he is aware of the challenges these projects face in planning and grid access in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41785/23]
View answerThrough the first two RESS auctions, my Department has provided pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects through the application of a community projects category and also through the requirement of a mandatory community benefit fund for all RESS projects.
In total, 7 community projects were successful in the RESS 1 auction, 4 projects remain in progress and are either energised or due to energise this year. All four are solar projects, totalling 16.95MW in generation.
Through my Department’s continued engagement with RECs, there is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the competitive, auction based nature of RESS, along with grid and other and other barriers to project delivery.
Therefore, a Community projects preference category has not been included RESS 3. Rather, support for communities for the development of renewable projects will now transition to the non-competitive Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS). The export tariff phase of SRESS, to support small scale and community renewable projects, is due to be launched later this year. This is expected to offer a simpler route to market for community projects and boost community participation in the Government’s renewable energy ambition.
This scheme will align more closely to the experience and capacity of the community energy sector and support a more sustainable delivery pathway to the renewable energy community target of 500 MW by 2030.
