Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
169. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the funding allocated to renewable energy communities in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56140/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the funding drawn down to renewable energy communities in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56141/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra171. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he report on the number of renewable energy communities that were funded in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023, in tabular form; the level of funding awarded to each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56142/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 171, inclusive, together.
The Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) Community Enabling Framework was launched in 2022. It 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.
The funding allocated for community energy is for a range of supports, aside from grants. It enables SEAI to deploy a number of capacity-building supports including an information warehouse, trusted intermediary and advisor services, and financial grant supports, all of which are vital to support community owned renewable energy projects to be built.
The information requested on 2020, which pre dates the RESS Community Enabling Framework, is being compiled by the SEAI. I have asked SEAI to forward a reply directly to the Deputy.
SEAI was allocated €3 million in 2021 for the various supports envisaged under the Enabling Framework with an additional €2 million in 2022 and €1.2 million in 2023. The 2024 allocation is still to be finalised.
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.
