Written answers
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Renewable Energy Incentives
Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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613. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of subsidies given by the Government to support all forms of renewable energy in the years 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46019/13]
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department, are the main subsidies available for renewable energy. The Better Energy Programme, which principally provides funding for energy efficiency measures, also provides grants for the installation of solar panels. The Renewable Heat Deployment Programme (ReHeat), Greener Homes Scheme and the CHP Deployment Programme, also provided grants but have since closed and residual payments were made in 2011. Since 2011, SEAI has administered the Electric Vehicles Grant scheme which provides grants of up to €5,000 towards the purchase of new electric vehicles. These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles. My Department, through SEAI, also subsidises Renewable Energy Research, Demonstration and Development projects and Ocean Energy Development. My Department has also given grants towards the International Energy Research Centre (IERC) and the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster (IMERC). The Department rit has also part-funded renewable energy projects approved under the INTERREG Programme.
Details of subsidies provided for renewable energy are set out in the table below:
| - | 2011 (million euro) | 2012 (million euro) |
|---|---|---|
| ReHeat Programme (residual expenditure) | 0.332 | 0 |
| CHP Deployment (residual expenditure) | 0.376 | 0 |
| Greener Homes (residual expenditure) | 4.590 | 0 |
| Better Energy (Solar grants only) | 0.934 | 1.742 |
| Electric Vehicles | 0.198 | 0.768 |
| Ocean Energy Development | 3.996 | 2.045 |
| Renewable Energy Research Development and Demonstration | 1.35 | 0.461 |
| Interreg | 0.41 | 0.236 |
| IMERC | 0 | 0.75 |
| IERC | 0.422 | 0.79 |
The principal supports for renewable electricity generation are the current REFIT, and former AER, schemes which are not subsidised by the Government. These are funded through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy, which is paid for by all electricity consumers. The most recent PSO decision by the Commission for Energy Regulation is set out at
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