Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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1058. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the development of anaerobic digestors on a regional basis. [36765/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The REFIT3 support scheme, which is funded by the public service obligation paid by electricity consumers, has supported the development of anaerobic digestion facilities via a high-efficiency combined heat and power tariff. This scheme closed for new applications on 31 December 2015.

The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat will provide an operational support for the heat output of anaerobic digestion heating systems. This scheme was approved by Government in December 2017.  The operational support is planned to open by the end of 2018, subject to state aid clearance from the EU Commission.  The National Development Plan sets out an indicative resource allocation of €300 million for the rollout of the scheme for the period 2018-2027.

Electricity output from anaerobic digesters will be eligible for support under the forthcoming Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. This scheme was approved by Government in July 2018 and will also require state aid approval.

In addition, my Department continues to examine potential options to support biomethane grid injection.  If introduced, such a support would incentivise the upgrading of biogas (produced from anaerobic digestion) to biomethane and its injection into the natural gas grid.

The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and Renewable Electricity Support Scheme will be available nationally and therefore provide the potential to benefit all regions.