Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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548. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the White Paper on renewable energy. [29420/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Energy White Paper contains a vision to accelerate the development and diversification of renewable energy in Ireland. Significant progress towards that end has been made by my Department in progressing a range of actions in the renewable energy sector, including:

- the development of two new renewables support schemes: the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) aimed at increasing renewables in in the heat sector; and a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) aimed at providing support for renewable electricity. Initial public consultation was carried out on both schemes in 2015. A further consultation for the RHI is planned before year-end, with the scheme being fully operational in the second half of 2017. A further RESS consultation is due to take place in the first quarter of 2017, with the broad details of the scheme being published later in 2017. Finalisation of these schemes is subject to Government and State aid approval from the European Commission.

- the development of a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework (REPDF). A public consultation on the draft Scoping Report for the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was held earlier this year.  A further consultation on the Environmental Report and the draft Framework is planned by my Department towards the end of 2016, with notice of the finalisation of the SEA and adoption of the Framework in 2017.

- the development of new planning guidelines for wind farms. My Department is working with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to meet the commitment in the Programme for Government to have updated guidelines in place by end-November 2016.

- the development of a National Bioenergy Plan. A draft Bioenergy Plan was published in December 2014.  A strategic Environmental assessment (SEA) is currently being prepared.

- the continuing support for the deployment of electric vehicles through the grant scheme administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

- an increase in the Biofuel Obligation from 6% to 8% by volume from 1st January 2017.  Further increases up to 2020 are being examined by my Department.

- the submission of the third progress report on the National Renewable Energy Action Plan to the European Commission in April 2016.