Written answers

Thursday, 13 July 2017

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff Scheme

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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997. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date by which he will announce the details of the next REFIT scheme; if it will be expanded to include more types of renewable production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33578/17]

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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998. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost efficiencies for all renewable technologies by megawatt in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33579/17]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 997 and 998 together.

The 2015 Energy White Paper and the 2016 Programme for Government recognise that Ireland’s long-term interests are best supported by further decreasing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels through the continued development of indigenous renewable energy. To support the delivery of this ambition, my Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030.

In July 2015, my Department published the first Technology Review consultation on a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and over 800 submissions were received. Following this, in December 2016, my Department appointed consultants to carry out an independent evidence based economic appraisal to underpin the proposed new RESS. This appraisal is on going, and involves comparing the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies including Solar Photovoltaic (PV), both ground mounted and rooftop, Offshore Wind, Onshore Wind, Ocean Energy including Tidal and Wave technologies, and various Bioenergy technologies including Biomass Combustion, Biomass CHP, Anaerobic Digestion CHP, Sewage Gas, BioGas and Waste to Energy.

Notwithstanding the fact that some of these technologies are more market ready and cost effective than others, all technologies that are being appraised will remain open for consideration under a range of scenarios until a final decision on the scheme design is made.

The economic appraisal is being undertaken to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply. The appraisal also includes analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines.

It is important to note that the Energy and Environment State Aid Guidelines, applicable from 2014 to 2020, will significantly limit the design options for the proposed new RESS.  The guidelines indicate that all RES-E support levels must be set through competitive bidding processes and RES-E support should be set via a Feed in Premium payment as opposed to flat tariff structures that have been implemented in Ireland to date.

My Department will publish a final public consultation on the design principles of the new RESS this month. Following the outcome of this public consultation, and before any new scheme is introduced, it will need to secure Government approval and state aid clearance from the European Commission. Subject to this, it is expected that the new scheme will become operational in 2018.

In terms of the costs associated with supporting renewable electricity technologies, the table below sets out the current Renewable Electricity Feed In Tariff (REFIT) rates for 2017.

Tariff per MWh (€)

REFIT 12017
Large onshore wind (above 5MW)69.72
Small onshore wind (equal to or less than 5MW)72.167
Hydro88.068
Biomass Landfill Gas85.622
Other Biomass88.068
REFIT 22017
Large onshore wind (above 5MW)69.72
Small onshore wind (equal to or less than 5MW)72.137
Hydro88.068
Biomass Landfill Gas85.622
REFIT 32017
Biomass Combustion89.314
Biomass Combustion - Energy Crops99.822
Large Biomass CHP (above 1500kW)126.091
Small Biomass CHP (equal to or less than 1500kW)147.106
Large AD Non CHP (above 500 kW)105.076
Small AD Non CHP (equal to or less than 500 kW)115.583
Large AD CHP (above 500kW)136.598
Small AD CHP (equal to or less than 500kW)157.613

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