Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2019
388. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date by end of 2019 he expects the first RESS auction to open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41008/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan commits to 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. In order to deliver on the ambition set out in the Plan, my Department is developing the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The RESS has been designed within a competitive auction-based, cost effective framework and the scheme will provide for a renewable electricity (RES-E) ambition of 70% by 2030. The terms and conditions of the first RESS auction are currently being drafted with the design of the first auction to be complete by the end of the year subject to the state aid notification process with the EU Commission. As outlined at the RESS Industry Briefing hosted by my officials on 13 September last, the qualification process will begin in December 2019 with participants being briefed on the auction and qualification procedures and the publication of the detailed timetable for the auction. The target date for the auction bidding process is June 2020.
In addition to the RESS, subsidy free renewable energy through corporate power purchase agreements provide a route to market for renewable project developers in the shorter term providing them with a real opportunity to boost Ireland's renewable energy capacity in advance of the commencement of RESS. The Climate Plan commits to a 15% target for the renewable industry to develop projects through subsidy free corporate power purchase agreements.
