Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
138. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the number of 100% community-owned renewable energy projects and number of 51% community-owned renewable energy projects from RESS 1 that have received the enabling grant. [2252/24]
View answerThe Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) Community Enabling Framework was launched in 2022. To ensure genuine community participation in the separate community category of RESS, the definition of a community-led project for the purposes of the first RESS auction included the stipulation that such projects must be at least 51% owned by a Renewable Energy Community (REC). For RESS 2, this was increased to a 100% REC ownership requirement for entry to the community category.
RESS provides a range of supports, including grant funding of potentially up to €180,000, offered from SEAI to community renewable energy projects, to help them participate in the RESS. To date, two community projects (both under RESS 1 in 2022) have received €40,000 each in grant funding.
In advance of issuing potential grant funding, SEAI offers a free feasibility assessment on projects to assess key project risks, that may impact on project viability. However, to date most projects have not passed this initial feasibility stage.
My Department is working closely with the SEAI and community groups to assess the barriers to community energy projects, including grid connections, in order to ensure a long term sustainable future for the community energy sector in Ireland.
There is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the competitive, auction based nature of RESS, along with grid and other barriers to project delivery. Therefore, Community 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 in the coming months and will be a major step forward in supporting the community energy sector.
