Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 September 2020
53. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 8 September 2020, the types of biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems eligible under the support scheme for renewable heat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24473/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra54. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 8 September 2020, the targets outlined for the support scheme for renewable heat in 2020 and for each future year under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24477/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 8 September 2020, the reason so few applications to the support scheme for renewable heat have been made and are being processed to date; his plans to review the operation of the scheme to ensure more applications are processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24479/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 to 55, inclusive, together.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, was developed to financially support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users. The scheme is operated by the SEAI and the eligibility criteria that apply to projects are set out in the scheme Terms and Conditions, which can be found at: https://www.seai.ie/publications/Terms-and-Conditions.pdf
The scheme is designed to support up to 1,300 GWh of renewable heat use annually which is equivalent to circa 3% of national heat use. A target of 100 GWh of renewable heat use was set for 2020. Annual targets for future years have not yet been set.
Projects that have been approved to date total over 30 GWh of renewable heat use. While the uptake is less than expected, it is a demand-led scheme which will take time to build market confidence. The scheme is reviewed on an annual basis with recommendations made to improve the scheme. SEAI are currently working to reduce the processing time for applications.
It is noted that Covid-19 is also likely to have impacted the uptake of the scheme. SEAI are working with applicants whose applications and projects have been impacted.
Finally it is important to acknowledge the Renewable Heat Incentive (a similar scheme in Northern Ireland) had significant issues. The lessons learned from that scheme have informed the design of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat. Nonetheless, it is important that a prudent approach is taken in relation to the scheme to ensure value for money to the taxpayer.
