The Programme for Government commits to promoting the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) to simplify market access for community, SME and farmer-owned solar and wind projects.
The SRESS export tariff is designed for community, SME and farmer export only projects above 50kW to 6MW. SRESS offers a simpler route to market for those groups, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind. All other export projects up to 1MW can also apply to SRESS, and need not be community, SME or farmer owned projects.
Eight community applications have been accepted into the scheme. My Department is also processing additional applications that have been received.
None of the SRESS projects have energised yet, and therefore none will be exporting to the grid under SRESS. The formal deadlines for energisation are in 2030 for community applicants. However, earlier completion dates are expected, since applicants cannot access the SRESS tariff until their projects are live.
Construction of SRESS projects is not monitored by my Department, but projects are required to meet a number of milestones to avail of SRESS support. One of these milestones includes providing a ‘Funding Certificate’ to the Department declaring that funding is in place to construct the project and achieve commercial operation. Other milestones include providing evidence of the second stage grid payment and achieving commercial operation.
The Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) Community Enabling Framework was launched in 2022. It provided a range of supports offered from SEAI to community renewable energy projects to help them participate in the RESS. To date, 2 community projects (both under RESS 1 in 2022), including one solar and one wind, have received €40,000 each in grant funding.
The 8 community projects accepted into SRESS all engaged with the SEAI through the Community Enabling Framework, without applying or receiving a specific accompanying grant.
I am advised that 6 of these successful community applicants availed of detailed trusted advisor feasibility reports and one availed of an initial feasibility report. All these professional advice supports are provided free of charge by SEAI to renewable energy community groups that are interested in applying to SRESS.
