Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

414. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to provide feed-in tariffs for biogas plants to produce renewable electricity and gas in 2017. [32708/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Both the Programme for Government and the White Paper on Energy Policyrecognise that anaerobic digestion (AD) technology can utilise waste as a resource to produce renewable energy thereby contributing towards improved waste management.

Biogas, which is produced by AD, can be utilised to generate electricity and/or heat or used as a transport fuel. In addition, biomethane, produced by removing impurities from biogas, can be used as a substitute for natural gas and can be injected directly into the gas grid.

It should be noted that electricity and combined heat and power produced from AD are already supported under the REFIT3 scheme.  Though the REFIT schemes are now closed, there is a commitment in the White Paper on Energy Policy to introduce a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) that will encourage the continued development of Ireland’s  renewable energy portfolio in the electricity sector. In-depth economic analysis is now underway to inform the actual cost of the scheme and, while no decision has been taken on the precise renewable technologies to be supported, the cost and technical viability of AD is being examined as part of the assessment process.  It is expected to have the scheme in place in 2017, subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission.

In parallel, an assessment of the specific costs and benefits of biogas and biomethane is currently being undertaken by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland with a view to developing additional policy options for biogas and biomethane. It is expected that this work will be complete later this year. In particular, this will inform work underway in my Department on the development of a Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

415. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the supports available for installation of solar panels; and his plans to increase same. [32830/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar energy projects in Ireland. This builds on the Energy White Paper published in December 2015 and recognises that solar also has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby also enhancing citizen participation in Ireland's energy future.  With this in mind, Solar Photovoltaics (PV) is one of the technologies being considered in the context of a new support scheme for renewable electricity generation which is under development.

The first public consultation on a new renewable support scheme was published in 2015 and following the completion of detailed economic analysis on the viability and cost effectiveness of supporting a range of renewable technologies - including Solar (PV) - a second public consultation will be published in early 2017. Details of the next public consultation will be advertised on the Department's website www.dccae.gov.ie

Before any new scheme is introduced, it will need to secure Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. The new support scheme for renewable electricity is expected to become available in late 2017.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland currently provides supports for the use of solar thermal heating technology to both large industry and SMEs. Households can also avail of grant support for investment in renewable energy installations, including solar thermal, under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.