Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has carried out a cost-benefit analysis of the provision of solar energy in the State at each point of development from inception to selling onto the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8741/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) to support large scale and community renewable electricity generation projects was approved by Government in 2020 following detailed analysis and a public consultation. The scheme design was supported by detailed economic and policy analysis carried out by CEPA Ltd. which is available on the gov.ie website. The RESS was developed to help achieve the commitments made in the 2021 Climate Action Plan of up to 80% RES-E by 2030 and solar generation will be a cornerstone of this scheme.

The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) represents the first phase of an enabling framework for micro- and small-scale generators to provide a remuneration from suppliers for residual electricity exported to the grid paid at a competitive market rate. There are no costs to the Exchequer or consumers for the CEG.

The Government approved the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) on 21 December 2021, targeting 380MW of new generation from renewables self-consumers to contribute to an overall target for solar PV of 2.5GW by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan. The scheme design was supported by detailed economic and policy analysis carried out by Ricardo AEA which informed a public consultation on the draft design in January 2021 and is available on the gov.ie website.

Finally, my Department is developing a policy design for a small-scale generation support scheme. This will be progressed in 2022 and is expected to become available in 2023. The design of this scheme will be informed by a report on policy options, including a cost analysis for a range of archetypes of solar PV generation, which has been commissioned by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and is due later this year.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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65. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the efforts he has taken to look into the various issues surrounding connectivity via direct lines, that is, private wires, in the context of solar power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8742/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Under Action 31 of the Climate Action Plan my Department is reviewing the policy position on the development of private networks/direct lines with a view to developing the legislative position in the context of the transposition of the EU’s Clean Energy Package. My Department is currently preparing a public consultation on the issue with a view to preparing a proposal on the preferred option(s) to review and or revise the current legislative framework in relation to private networks/direct lines in 2022. 

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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66. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the efforts that are being taken to facilitate uptake of solar power by farmers; if he will address any tax related concerns preventing further uptake in solar power within the farming community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8743/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale electricity generators in Ireland allowing them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid at a competitive market rate.

My Department is at an advanced stage of transposing Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive into Irish law over the coming weeks. This will allow for the commencement of export payments to micro- and small-scale generators by their suppliers.

The Government approved the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) on 21 December 2021, targeting 380MW of new generation from renewables self-consumers to contribute to an overall target for solar PV of 2.5GW by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan. The scheme will provide capital grants for new domestic and small non-domestic installations, including for farmers. Businesses, including farmers, who install new larger installations can avail of a Clean Export Premium tariff which will provide a fixed tariff for 15 years for electricity exported to the grid. The scheme design will be published in Q1 2022 and supports will be introduced on a phased basis during the year.

The Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generators, i.e. above 50kW but smaller than those supported by the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, which will be progressed in 2022 and is expected to become available in 2023. This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.