The Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) has awarded funding to eighty-two renewable energy projects across Ireland to aid the transition from fossil fuels to green electricity. The Government of Ireland gave green light to the first RESS auction to meet the national target of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and also help communities get access to cost effective renewable electricity. The winners of the competitive auction scheme are the 63 solar farms and 19 onshore wind farms across Ireland, and will receive 1,275.56 MW of solar and onshore wind capacity. Winners have also secured the right to sign a 15-year contract ensuring they will receive a premium on top of the market price of electricity. According to the Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager of EU competition policy, “this RESS will contribute to Ireland’s transition to a low carbon and environmentally sustainable economy.”
Minister for Climate Action Eamon Ryan welcomes the introduction of the RESS auction stating “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”. Seven of these projects are community-led which the Minister states they will be supported “to produce their own power and share in the ownership of Ireland’s energy revolution, while inspiring others to follow.” Five solar energy and two onshore wind community projects were successful in the first RESS action. These projects are located across three provinces in the counties of Kilkenny, Galway, Mayo, Wexford, Clare and Cork. These community-led renewable energy projects will recycle back revenues from their operation back in to their communities.
The RESS scheme will invest €1.4 billion to the growth of low carbon economy and in turn creates sustainable work opportunities of 1,000 jobs. The Lenalea onshore wind project in County Donegal once complete “will generate enough low carbon renewable energy to power 20,000 homes annually and offset 24,500 tonnes of carbon per annum”, according to SSE Renewables. The latest wind farm development will advance “the transition to a zero-carbon future.”
Chairman of the Claremorris and Western District Energy Coop JP Prendergast also shares their excitement over the RESS auction:
“We are so proud to be putting a solar farm, which is 100 per cent community-owned, on to what was once a dumping ground – turning it from a brown site to green…The big win for us here has given us credibility and empowered us. We can now show other communities just what is possible.”
A vocal environmental advocacy group in Ireland known as Friends of the Earth also praises the first RESS auction for granting community access to their green future. The Deputy Director claims “this scheme marks a turning point for the people’s ownership of renewable energy in Ireland. It is the first time community-led projects have been given priority access to the energy market and also sets a welcome precedent for communities across Europe.”
