Renewable Electricity Support Scheme 4 (RESS 4)

Following on from the earlier auctions, the Minister launched the fourth Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 4) as the next competitive auction round to procure additional renewable electricity capacity, furthering Ireland’s progress towards our renewable energy ambitions and targets.

The RESS is a competitive auction-based scheme which invites renewable electricity projects to bid for capacity and receive a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate for a maximum of 16.5 years.

Projects seeking RESS support must satisfy the qualification conditions for the scheme, which include having planning permission and being a grid contracted project.

The RESS supports the growth of green economy, creates stable jobs, and saves consumers money as renewable energy becomes cheaper.

Ireland’s strategy places a renewables-led electricity system at its core, aiming to significantly cut emissions, strengthen energy security, and safeguard economic competitiveness. Initiatives such as RESS are essential to achieving these goals.

The RESS 4 Auction opened on 22 August and closed on the 28 August 2024.

Out of the 43 applicants that were deemed to meet the eligibility criteria, 27 projects were successful in the auction, applicants consisted of both onshore wind and solar projects.

RESS 4 Auction Results

• 27 projects were successful in the auction
• 23 out of the 27 projects were solar
• 4 out of the 27 projects were onshore wind
• The successful projects total offer quantity was 1,333.64 Megawatts (MW)
• The solar offer quantity was 959.84 MW
• The onshore wind offer quantity was 373.8 MW

For further information on the RESS 4 Final Auction results please click here.

The RESS 4 Terms and Conditions are available below.

As set out in the RESS 4 Terms and Conditions, the technology specific Maximum Offer Price Considered are the technology specific maximum offer prices allowed to be included in an offer for the RESS 4 Auction. These maximum offer prices and relevant technology Evaluation Correction Factors have been determined by the Minster and are available below.

All RESS 4 projects are required to establish a CBF. The CBFs are financed by mandatory financial contributions made by renewable energy projects participating in the scheme. The funds are used to support local initiatives and provide payments to households located near the projects.

The mandatory contribution is set at a minimum of €2 per Megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated by the RESS project. This ensures that real, measurable funds are allocated annually to support and benefit the local community.

Examples of projects and initiatives that have received funding through CBFs include scholarships, community centres, energy upgrades in sports clubs and community centres, education programmes and disability access projects.

For more information on CBFs under RESS please click here.

The Department prepares a Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy Statutory Instrument (SI) annually, which includes lists of renewable energy (REFIT, RESS & SRESS) projects entitled to receive support payments. Once the SI is approved and finalised, it is published in the Irish Statute Book.

The PSO SI containing the first RESS 4 projects can be accessed below.

S.I. No. 689/2025 - Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations) (Amendment) Order 2025

For further information on the PSO levy please click here.

Please click here for further information on the RESS 4 Consultation. .

Minister announces boost to renewables as provisional results of fourth RESS auction secure enough clean power for 500,000 homes