Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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554. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a proposal by an organisation (details supplied) on the renewable energy support scheme and the participation of farm scale projects in renewable electricity generation. [52579/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is an auction-based scheme which invites renewable electricity projects to bid for capacity and receive a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate. Support schemes such as this must now be auction-based and must be approved by the EU Directorate General for Competition under its state aid approvals process.

The full terms and conditions of RESS were published by my Department on 13 December last for consultation. All parties are welcome to make submissions by the consultation deadline of 17 January 2020 and details can be accessed at www.dccae.gov.ie.

The Scheme includes a community preference category within the auction, subject to State Aid approval, of up to 30 GWh. This category has been developed specifically to allow communities and citizens to participate in RESS, including farmers.

My Department is also working on a microgeneration scheme which will allow for domestic and small commercial renewable energy development.