Renewable Electricity Export
Request for Tender for the Provision of a study on the Viability and Cost Benefit Analysis for Ireland exporting renewable electricity (RES-E) using the Co-operation Mechanisms in Directive 2009/28/EC
SEAI, Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, EirGrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation will oversee all aspects of the tender process and the work programme together. SEAI will act as co-ordinator of the proposed study.
Tender published on http://www.etenders.gov.ie/ 29/7/2011. 9 bids were received. A proposal from Redpoint Energy Ltd and GL Garrad Hassan was awarded the contract.
New! 14/11/11 Stakeholder Forum!
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in co-operation with the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources (DCENR), EirGrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation has commissioned Redpoint Energy Ltd and GL Garrad Hassan to undertake a Study on the Viability and Cost Benefit Analysis for Ireland of Exporting Renewable Electricity (RES-E) using the Co-operation Mechanisms in Directive 2009/28/EC.
We have decided to host a Stakeholder Forum to provide the relevant industry stakeholders with an opportunity to get an update from Redpoint and Garrad Hassan on the study approach and methodology to be applied.
A representative from DCENR will also give a short presentation on work on the co-operation mechanisms under Directive 2009/28/EC.
There will be an opportunity for discussion and comment on the day post presentations.
Date and Time: Wednesday 7th December at 2.30pm
Location: Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2
Attendance is by registration only.
There will be two representatives invited from each of IWEA, Meitheal na Gaoithe, MRIA and NOW Ireland. As there are a limited number of further places available, the following criteria will be applied to determine allocation of places, in the event of over-subscription:
(a) maximum of one representative per company
(b) individual companies with a demonstrable interest in developing renewable projects for the export market (e.g. companies should send details of their project proposals to support this )
(c) preference will be given in the first instance to individual companies that are not already represented by the umbrella organisations, who in any case will each have two representatives present
(d) preference will be given to companies that are proposing to develop projects using maturer proven technologies that are more likely to be in a position to deliver renewables for export within the timeframe of the study (i.e. to be operational by 2020.)
Please submit your attendance request, accompanied by details of project proposals demonstrating interest in the renewable export market by 25th November 2011 to Stephen O’Sullivan by email at stephen.osullivan@seai.ie
Applicants will be informed during the following week of whether they have secured a place.
Contact: Stephen O’Sullivan, SEAI (01) 8082038
RES-E (Electricity from renewable sources)
Early RES-E development was supported through six tender competitions under the Alternative Energy Requirement (AER) Programme. In 2006, the Department announced a change to a feed-in tariff scheme known as REFIT- the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff which obtained state aid clearance in 2007. The initial scheme (REFIT 1) was open until 31/12/09 and 1242 MW of REFIT 1 are included in the 2011/2012 PSO Decision.
Further information on REFIT is now available on a separate REFIT page (see across.)
Comprehensive information on renewable energy in Ireland including RES-E is available in Ireland's National Renewable Energy Action Plan (see across).
Renewable Energy Information (general)
Detailed information on renewable energy can be found on the website of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI): http://www.seai.ie/Renewables/
Alternatively, please email SEAI on info@seai.ie or call 01 808 2100.
Guarantees of Origin (GOs) for renewable generation
The Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) provides for Guarantees of Origin (GOs) for renewable generation. GOs, according to the Directive, have the sole function of proving to a final customer that a given share or quantity of energy was produced from renewable sources.
GOs under the Directive are completely separated out from target compliance and cannot be used for renewable trade purposes between countries to meet their target (which can only be done under the co-operation mechanisms in the Directive.)
The provisions on GOs in the Renewable Energy Directive were transposed into Irish legislation by SI 147 of 2011 available at this link: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Energy/Sustainable+and+Renewable+Energy+Division/Renewable+Energy+Directive+and+National+Renewable+Energy+Action+Plan.htm
In November 2011, the Commission for Energy Regulation published CER 11/284 entitled 'Supervisory Framework for the administration of Guarantees of Origin.'
Further information on the GO system to apply in Ireland can be found in that document.
Relief for investment in renewable energy generation – Section 486B, Tax Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997
1. Section 62 Finance Act 1998 provided for a scheme of tax relief for corporate investments in certain renewable energy projects. The Section came into operation as Section 486B, TCA 1997, with effect from 18 March 1999. Since then, the scheme has been periodically extended to 31 December 2011.
2. The relief applies to corporate equity investments in certain renewable energy generation projects. The relief is given in the form of a deduction from a company’s profits for its direct investment in new ordinary shares in a qualifying renewable energy company.
3. To qualify for this relief, the energy project must be in the solar, wind, hydro or biomass technology categories, and must be approved by the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources.
4. The relief is capped at the lesser of 50% of all capital expenditure (excluding lands), net of grants or €9.525 million for a single project. Investment by a company or group is capped at €12.7 million per annum, and unless the shares are held for at least 5 years by the corporate investor, the relief “shall” be withdrawn (Section 486B (6) (b) refers).
Guidelines and Application Form (Tax relief - Section 486B)
SI 68 of 2009
SEAI /Eirgrid study on the impact of wind generation on wholesale electricity costs in 2011
Link to report
Electricity from Offshore Renewable Energy
See Ireland's draft Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP)
See offshore renewable energy section on this website (across)
See EirGrid's Offshore Grid Study (August 2011)
EirGrid's Grid Code for Renewables
http://www.eirgrid.com/renewables/complianceandtesting/
Connected and Contracted Generation (including renewables)
http://www.eirgrid.com/customers/connectedandcontractedgenerators/
Installed Wind (as of June 2011)
SEAI's 2010 update on Renewable Energy in Ireland
SEAI's wind atlas
European Commission COM (2011) 31: Renewable Energy: Progressing towards the 2020 target
Useful Links
Commission for Energy Regulation (CER)
EirGrid (Transmission System Operator)
ESB Networks (Distribution System Operator)
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
Department of Environment, Community & Local Government (DECLG)
European Commission Transparency Platform
Alternative Energy Requirement (AER) Programme (closed for new applications)