Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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170. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the next auction under the renewable energy support scheme will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25481/20]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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171. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the percentage of renewable energy projects that have been successful under the recent RESS auction; his plans to support and incentivise more investment in renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is an auction-based scheme which invites renewable electricity projects to compete for a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate.

The first of these renewable electricity auctions (RESS-1) took place on the 21 July. The final results were approved by Government on the 8 September.

In RESS-1, 109 applicants were deemed to meet the eligibility criteria and terms of the scheme.  82 of these were successful in the auction representing a 75% success rate. These results equate to 479MW of onshore wind and 796MW of solar, giving a total of approximately 1,275 additional Mega Watts on the system.

The RESS prices achieved in the first competition, with an average bid price of €74.08, represents a significant saving on the previous Renewable Electricity Fit in Tariff schemes.

The Programme for Government commits to taking the steps to deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 by inter alia:

- Holding the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction by the end of 2020, with auctions held each year thereafter, including the first RESS auction for offshore wind in 2021;

- Producing a whole-of-government plan setting out how we will deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and how we will develop the necessary skills base, supply chains, legislation, and infrastructure to enable it.

- Continuing Eirgrid’s programme ‘Delivering a Secure, Sustainable Electricity System’

- Strengthening the policy framework to incentivise electricity

The State Aid approval for RESS makes provision for five auctions out to 2025 including separate auctions for offshore wind energy.

To encourage large energy users to invest in renewable energy projects, my officials are also reviewing policy interventions relating to Corporate Power Purchasing Agreements to deliver unsubsidised renewable electricity onto the grid.