Mr. Rory Somers:

The communities are protected within the conditions under the renewable energy support scheme, RESS, in respect of how they access the scheme. They are not asked to compete in the same overall category as professional commercial developers for large-scale renewables. Communities are also given certain conditions that make it easier for them. There are benefits in respect of planning and the grid. They do not have to provide a bid or performance bond, as is required in the commercial sphere. Therefore, several factors make it easier for them to compete. On that basis, the Commission did not want that to impact on, and, ultimately, be a backdoor for commercial developers, to interfere in the full and competitive nature of the auction. This is the nature of the Commission's view around restrictions in this context.

The way this is managed in respect of the overall policy results in the limitation of the total amount of energy we can procure through this community pot in the various auctions. What it does not do is to prevent us doing other things outside the RESS. That was the first vehicle devised in this regard. As I mentioned, regarding microgeneration, at the very small scale, that is now beginning to be deployed.

The small-scale generation support scheme, which will go to public consultation later this year and which we intend to implement early in 2023, will provide another vehicle for the communities to develop. Within the climate action plan, the Chairman may be aware that there is a target of 500 MW by 2030 for community projects overall. That is not specific to RESS but it will include it. We are trying to provide as many pathways as possible for communities to engage. That can be seen through the range of supports that are there. The communities are involved at every level, which is what I am really saying here. They are involved in dealing with the community operation of sports and committee buildings, retrofitting and renewable technologies. They are also involved in RESS and in 100%-owned renewable projects. We are providing a pathway to bridge the gap between all of that for renewable technologies.