Renewable Electricity Support Scheme 5 (RESS 5)

The fifth iteration of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 5) was held in 2025.

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 5 Auction opened on 03 September and closed on the 09 September 2025.

Out of the 32 applicants that were deemed to meet the eligibility criteria, 22 projects were successful in the auction, applicants consisted of both onshore wind and solar projects.

RESS 5 Auction Results

• 22 projects were successful in the auction
• 17 out of the 22 projects were solar
• 5 out of the 22 projects were onshore wind
• The successful projects total offer quantity was 1072.22 Megawatts (MW)
• The solar offer quantity was 853.38 MW
• The onshore wind offer quantity was 218.84 MW

For further information on the RESS 5 Final Auction results please click here.

The RESS 5 Terms and Conditions are available below.

In accordance with the RESS 5 Terms and Conditions, the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment determined the Maximum Offer Prices Considered (Price Caps) and Evaluation Correction Factors (ECF) for the RESS 5 Auction. The Maximum Offer Price Considered is the technology specific maximum price allowed to be included in an Offer for the RESS 5 Auction, while the ECF is a factor used in the RESS 5 Auction to convert an Offer Price into a Deemed Offer Price for the purpose of winner selection, as outlined in section 7.5.8 of the RESS 5 T&Cs.

These auction parameters can be found in the document below.

The Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Test is a tool designed to assist policymakers consider the SME perspective when making any new policies, legislation (primary or secondary), or regulatory compliance requirements. We considered the provisions of the SME test in the development of RESS 5 and its application process.

All RESS 5 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.

For further information on the PSO levy please click here.

Please click here for further information on the RESS 5 Consultation.

The Programme for Government commits to holding RESS auctions at frequent intervals throughout the lifetime of the scheme. This will allow Ireland to take advantage of falling technology costs and avoid 'locking in' higher costs for consumers.

As required under Article 6 of the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland has published a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme - Schedule of Future Auctions.