Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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118. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the latest auction for onshore renewable energy; if he is aware that the volume that was delivered (1,146 and 925 GWh) was far less than was targeted in the Government’s renewable electricity support scheme auction schedule (2,000 – 5,500 GWh); the factors that led to the relatively low amount being delivered; how he plans to address this for the next auction; how this will impact on the 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37061/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The provisional results of the RESS 4 auction results were released on the 9th of September. RESS 4 marks a significant milestone for Ireland’s renewable energy development, securing over a 20% increase in the country’s renewable energy capacity, which achieved lower prices than previous two auctions with the average weighted bid price at €96.85 per MWh. 

The RESS 4 auction has provisionally procured over 2TWh (2,070 GWh) of renewable electricity, this is enough to power up to half a million homes. RESS 4 will play a crucial role in reducing energy costs for households and businesses by promoting more affordable renewable energy generation and providing financial benefits to electricity users in Ireland through the associated Community Benefit Funds which will equate to approximately €4.1 million annually.

The volumes procured in RESS 4 are within the target procurement range but at its lower end. This range is based on the pipeline of projects eligible to participate in the auction, along with an assumed level of competition, but not all of these projects participated.  Some projects may chose other routes to market such as Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs); projects contracted under CPPAs provide an alternative route to market and do not require support from the Public Sector Obligation. 

While RESS 4 has seen an increase in the volume of wind projects taking part and being successful in the auction, the number of onshore wind projects remains relatively low due to the lack of alignment of local development plans with national targets as well as the need for significant electricity grid  reinforcements to transport our indigenous renewable energy resources to homes and businesses across the country.

The inclusion of Regional Renewable Electricity Targets in the draft First Revision of the National Planning Framework is a welcome and critical step towards boosting the future pipeline of onshore wind and solar energy projects and supporting Ireland’s competitiveness.

A range of actions under the umbrella of the  Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce are being undertaken to fast track the deliver of renewable energy generation and supporting infrastructure.