Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
145. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what financial supports are available to individuals and communities seeking to develop renewable energy in their communities, such as wind turbines, solar panels and other focuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31303/23]
View answerThere are a wide range of capital supports for renewable energy funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides capital grants through the SEAI for both domestic and non-domestic applicants (under the Domestic and Non-Domestic Solar PV schemes respectively) for Solar PV installations up to 6.0kW, primarily for self-consumption. Grant amounts are €900/kW up to 2kW and an additional €300/kW between 2kW and 4kW; which brings total grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 also commits to the development of a small-scale generation scheme 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.
Through my Department’s continued engagement with Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), there is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the competitive, auction based nature of RESS. The new scheme will not 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.
Government has now approved the high level design of the new scheme, to be called the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme and it will be published shortly. I expect to launch the scheme later this year.
