I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 to 165, inclusive, together.
Under the Climate Action Plan 2023, Government has set an ambitious target of having an 80% share of electricity generation capacity coming from renewable sources by 2030.
With approximately 4,403 MW of connected wind generation capacity, we are in the top five globally for installed wind power capacity per capita. In order to build on this success and increase wind and solar generation on the grid, my Department is delivering a regular programme of auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).
The RESS auctions provide pathways for renewable developers to plan and develop their projects, with supported technologies including, but not limited to, onshore wind, solar, and hybrids (co-located wind, solar, and/or storage), with offshore wind projects participating under the dedicated Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS). This method allows Ireland to take advantage of new technologies as they emerge.
The first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS 1) was held in 2020 and as a result of that pathway being provided for renewable developers, 2022 was a record year for the connection of renewable electricity capacity to the grid. More RESS 1 projects are expected to connect to the grid throughout 2023. The second RESS auction (RESS 2) was held in 2022, with the successful projects in that auction representing a nearly 20% increase on current renewable electricity generation capacity. Projects from RESS 2 will start to connect to the grid between the end of this year and 2025.
Officials in my Department are currently working on progressing the next two RESS auctions, RESS 3 for onshore renewables, and ORESS 1 (Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) for offshore wind, with both expected to be held later this year.
Further auction rounds are expected in future years and an updated RESS auction schedule will be published shortly.