Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the White Paper on Energy and the 2016 Programme for Government and will be the primary support mechanism in the heating sector designed to meet Ireland’s renewable energy obligations. The aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heating sector and to help reach Ireland’s 12% target by 2020. In 2015, 6.5% of heat was derived from renewable sources in Ireland.

I announced the final public consultation on the design and implementation of the new RHI in January 2017, and I welcome the large volume of submissions received by my Department. All submissions are currently being reviewed and will be used to inform the final design of the scheme.

In order to support on-going investment in the renewable heating sector, my Department will seek clearance from the European Commission that RHI support can apply to RHI applicants, who meet the criteria of the scheme, and were completed and first commissioned between the Government announcement on the RHI on the 8 July 2014 and the start date of the RHI. A final decision on this matter will ultimately be a matter for the Commission and form part of the final State Aid clearance notification for the RHI scheme.

Ultimately, the final cost of introducing a RHI will be driven, in part, by the final design of the scheme, the number of participants and the type of renewable heat technologies to be supported and any sustainability and air quality criteria that form part of the new scheme.