Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
971. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the renewable energy support scheme will exclude farm scale projects; if the decision will be re-examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4090/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is an auction-based scheme which invites renewable electricity projects to bid for capacity and receive a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate. Support schemes such as this must now be auction-based and are subject to state aid approval by the European Commission.
The full terms and conditions of the first RESS Competition were published by my Department on 27 February 2020. The Scheme includes a community preference category within the auction, subject to State Aid approval, of circa 30 GWh. This category has been developed specifically to allow communities and citizens, including farmers, to participate in RESS. In addition, my Department is also developing a microgeneration scheme which will in time allow for domestic and small commercial renewable energy development.
