Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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201. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if renewable electricity projects awarded RESS-1 contracts will be delivered by the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29862/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Under the first auction of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS-1) 68 projects, equating to approximately 1,088MW of new renewable energy generation, have entered into implementation agreements as set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme. The RESS-1 terms and conditions and implementation agreement provide that all successful projects must achieve commercial operation by 31 December 2022. This date was set based on reasonable and realistic delivery timeframes required for projects to connect to the grid. Up to a one year extension to this date is provided for RESS-1 projects with reduced support payments commensurate with the delay.

A number of milestones remain for each project to meet in order to be eligible for PSO Levy support under RESS-1. The electricity system operators (EirGrid and ESB Networks) are responsible for engagement with projects to programme their connection to the grid and commissioning.  

My Department is monitoring the development of all RESS 1 projects and the overall RESS-1 delivery programme in order to ensure high project realisation rates and maximise the level of renewable energy output to meet Ireland's national and EU 2030 climate and energy targets.