Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
31. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to consider establishing targeted financial supports to accelerate biomass fuel adoption, stimulating rural economic activity and achieving decarbonisation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53190/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has developed a number of schemes and initiatives designed to increase the deployment of energy generated from renewable sources.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, which is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, provides an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems. Eligible renewable energy technologies are supported through a multi-annual payment, for a period of up to 15 years, on the basis of prescribed tariffs. The scheme is open to commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users.
To further support the decarbonisation of the heat sector, Government has also agreed to the introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) and approved the general scheme of the proposed legislation. The RHO will obligate suppliers over a certain threshold to ensure that a proportion of the energy they supply for heating purposes is renewable. This will be across all gaseous, liquid and solid fuels used for heating under current proposals. All renewable fuels fulfilling the Renewable Energy Directive criteria will be deemed eligible under the schemes.
