James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work he will undertake in 2022 to continue the process of ramping up Ireland’s renewable energy output. [10478/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action Plan 2021 and annex of actions sets out a roadmap to deliver on Ireland's target of a 51% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by the 2030 including a suite of  measures and actions to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources to up to 80%. In 2022, my Department will continue to drive the delivery of renewable energy sources in line with our targets and identified actions.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is Ireland’s flagship policy to deliver on the Governments target of up to 80% renewable electricity by the end of the decade. The first RESS auction for onshore wind and solar projects was held in 2020 and the first RESS 1 projects have now reached commercial operation with further projects to reach commercial operation throughout 2022.

The second RESS auction process has begun with the qualification application window having closed in January and the auction is scheduled to take place in May. Design of the RESS 3 onshore auction is also currently under development and my Department is also finalising the terms and conditions on the first of three planned auctions this decade for the offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS).

Ireland has considerable offshore renewable energy (ORE) potential. Ireland’s intention is to move to a plan-led approach to the development of the ORE sector. A new Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II) will be completed by the end of 2022.

The Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021 provides a provides the legal underpinning to an entirely new marine planning system, which will balance harnessing our huge offshore wind potential with protecting our rich and unique marine environment. In Q1 2022, my Department opened a consultation on the proposed assessment criteria for the first batch of Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications from a set of seven qualified ORE projects. Consultation is also currently open on how the second batch of projects (Phase 2) will be selected to enter the new consenting system.

Last week I signed the Regulations, which will provide for the Clean Export Guarantee tariff, into Irish law allowing  for micro-and small-scale generators to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid. In addition, my Department is working with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on a policy design for a small-scale generation support scheme. This will be progressed in 2022 and is expected to become available in 2023.

As regards renewable heat and cooling, the SEAI published the National Heat Study on 22 February 2022. The Study, which was prepared at my Department’s request, contains detailed analysis which will now facilitate the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050 and will be a key input into the delivery of a number of actions contained in the Climate Action Plan 2022.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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114. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department will implement a renewable energy scheme for beef and dairy farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10502/22]

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.

On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which brings these Articles into force. These Regulations allow the Clean Export Guarantee tariff to become available for micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. 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.