Irish renewable energy support scheme approved

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The Irish government has approved the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) after state aid approval was secured from the European Union. The first auction is expected to take place ‘as early as possible’ in 2019. With consecutive auctions taking places at regular intervals throughout the lifetime of the scheme [1].

The scheme will allow for a renewable electricity ambition of up to a maximum of 55% as part of EU-wide decarbonisation targets until 2030. Up to 4.5GW of renewable capacity is expected to be procured by 2030, according to February’s Project Ireland 2040, which set out a national development plan for Ireland over the next decade.

Announcing the new scheme, the minister for communications, climate action and environment, Denis Naughten said: “This scheme will mark a shift from guaranteed fixed prices for ...