Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
171. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the development of the small-scale generation support scheme; the policy measures that will be included in this proposal; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10889/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2023 commits to the development of a Small-Scale Generation Scheme (SSGS) to support non-domestic renewable electricity generators above 50kW, but smaller than those supported under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms, public buildings, and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.
The scheme proposes to support applicants, including renewables self-consumers, to install renewable electricity generators up to 1MW, with 100% Renewable Energy Community (REC) projects to be supported up to 6MW.
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. The SSGS is not anticipated to include an auction process and is therefore expected to offer a simpler route to market for community projects and boost community participation in the Government’s renewable energy ambition.
Following a consultation process on the high-level design of the SSGS undertaken in Autumn 2022, my Department is progressing the scheme design and I expect to launch the SSGS later this year.
