Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The GATE Three process has recently been the subject of public consultation by the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER. I am advised that no decision has yet been made on the scale or timeframe of GATE Three.

Projects under the GATE Two process with grid connection offers and planning permission can access the renewable energy feed-in tariff, REFIT, support scheme, which is operated by my Department. The REFIT scheme supports the construction of new renewable energy powered electricity generating plants. The support programme delivers fixed purchase-prices to project developers.

The guaranteed prices remove a price uncertainty for developers arising with pool market prices in the single electricity market and the associated revenue earning uncertainty. This certainty on prices increases the predictability of future cash flows which is crucial for renewable energy investors at this time. The REFIT guaranteed prices are indexed to the annual change in the consumer price index and are capable therefore of absorbing increases in investment costs and operating costs in that range.

The public consultation process on processing GATE Three applications and the settling of any disputes on connection requests generally are matters for the Commission for Energy Regulation. I have no statutory function in the matter. However, my Department is monitoring developments closely and is liaising with the renewable energy sector, the CER and all relevant agencies through the renewable energy development group. A fully cohesive approach by all stakeholders is critical to delivery on the complex challenges inherent in achieving our ambitious targets for renewable energy.

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