Minister Ryan announces the provisional results of the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Eamon Ryan TD has announced the provisional results of the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction.
Minister Ryan said:
“As the Minister for Climate Action, I am delighted to welcome the provisional results of the first auction under the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. While these results remain subject to Government approval, the first RESS auction provides us with a platform for rapid deployment of onshore wind and solar projects at scale and at least cost, replacing fossil fuels on our energy grid. We have exceeded our target for Community projects participation with seven communities being supported to produce their own power and share in the ownership of Ireland’s energy revolution while inspiring others to follow. I would expect that our next auction will have a higher share of community based renewables.
The results are very competitive and represent a significant saving on previous support schemes. The volumes procured set us on the right trajectory to achieve the ambitious 70% renewable electricity target by 2030 set out in the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan. This will be crucial to Ireland’s contribution towards an EU wide renewable energy target of 32% by 2030 and to the 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030.
Meeting these targets will support an investment in Ireland of over 1.4Billion euro and support the recovery by creating roughly 10,500 construction jobs and 1,100 additional permanent jobs[1]. The Government allocated funding as part of the July Stimulus for green apprenticeships, which will be needed to support these investments and provide a path for transition from brown to green for many Irish communities, particularly in the Midlands.
To date, developer-led onshore wind energy has been the most cost effective technology available to Ireland, however, solar and community owned energy projects will play a critical role in diversifying our renewable generation portfolio for the period out to 2030.”
ENDS