Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
129. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if alternative financial supports are being considered for renewable energy communities pending the resolution of the State aid issues affecting Community Enabling Grants. [47145/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures he intends to introduce to ensure that smaller community-led renewable energy projects are not disadvantaged compared to commercial developers as a result of delays in introducing Community Enabling Grants under SRESS. [47148/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 132 together.
The Programme for Government commits to promoting the SRESS to simplify market access for communities, SMEs and farmer-owned solar and wind projects.
The SRESS export tariff is designed for community, SME and farmer export-only projects above 50 kW to 6 MW. SRESS offers a simpler route to market for those groups, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind. All export projects up to 1 MW can also apply to SRESS, and need not be community, SME or farmer-owned projects.
The key support provided to community projects is through the SRESS community solar tariff. This provides a significant premium to communities, compared to the prices available in the utility scale RESS schemes. For example, the greater than 1MW and up to 6MW category tariff provided to community applications is €140/MWh. That is 40% above recent RESS average support prices.
To further support communities, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), provides a range of supports to assist communities in developing renewable energy projects, including free access to specialist technical advisers and free comprehensive guides available on the SEAI website.
These guides cover various issues such as community groups and governance, stakeholder engagement, business planning and grid connection. The SEAI has also undertaken 13 county-level grid studies to help communities identify economically viable connection areas.
