Biofuels Obligation Scheme
Minister Eamon Ryan launches a
public consultation paper on the Biofuels Obligation Scheme. The closing date for responses is the 24th of November 2008.
The Renewable Energy Division is responsible for implementing measures to increase the penetration of renewable energy technologies in electricity production in Ireland.
Ireland launched its programme to promote electricity from renewable energy sources in 1996 in "Renewable Energy - A Strategy for the Future". Policy on renewables was reviewed in 1999 with the publication of a Green Paper on Sustainable Energy. In December 2003 a further review of the sector was launched with the publication of the consultation document “Options for Future Renewable Energy Policy, Targets and Programmes”.
This was followed in May 2004 with the setting up of the Renewable Energy Development Group which is chaired by Mr Martin Finucane of this Department. This Group has been considering the future options on policies, targets, programmes and support measures to develop the increased use of renewable energy in the electricity market to 2010 and beyond.
The development of Ireland's renewable energy resources in electricity generation this has been achieved primarily through the administration of competitions under the Alternative Energy Requirement (AER) Programme. The six competitions held to date have been conducted under a competitive tendering process.
REFIT and AER
On 1st May 2006, the Minister for Communications Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, T.D., announced the publication of the next market support mechanism for renewables to be known as the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT). View Ministers announcement
A copy of the Application Form and terms and conditions of REFIT may be viewed at the attached link. View terms and conditions.
Clarifications to the market on REFIT based on representative queries submitted. View clarifications
Documents relating to State Aid No. 571/2006
Notification by Ireland Notification Document
Part I Published Terms and Conditions Part I S39
Part III Supplementary Information on Environmental Protection Aid
Query 1 from EC 27 October 2006 Response from Department 31 January 2007
Query 2 from EC 30 March 2007 Response from Department 23 April 2007
Submission 3 May 2007 Submission 4 July 2007
Submission 13 September 2007 Commission Decision 25 September 2007
Request for Access to Documents from EC 25 September 2008
Information on the AER Programme, the Renewable Energy consultation process, the Renewable Energy Development Group and relevant documents/reports relating to the work of the Division are available under the link below.
Technical information and advice on all renewable energy sources can be obtained directly from Sustainable Energy Ireland's Renewable Energy Information Office
Telephone (023) 42193/ + 353 23 42193 or
e-mail renewables@reio.ie.
Renewable Energy Division On-line Information
Responses to Consultation Paper
Following the consultation period, the Sustainable Energy Working Group has prepared a paper based on the submissions received. This document, called Summary of Consultation Responses to “All-island Energy Market: Renewable Electricity – A 2020 Vision”, attempts to bring together the principal themes of those responses. It does not purport to be a comprehensive representation of all submissions and the views expressed are solely those of the respondents
It is the intention to advance the process by way of a plenary forum to take place early this year. All respondents will be advised of the date and venue shortly.
Synthesis Paper
Responses
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey T.D. and his Northern Ireland counterpart Angela Smith MP have jointly issued a preliminary consultation paper on an all-island 2020 vision for renewable energy which seeks views on the development of a joint Republic of Ireland / Northern Ireland strategy for the renewable energy aspects of the All-Island Energy Market, leading up to 2020 and beyond.
The closing date for the consultation period is 30 September 2005 and the contact details are contained in the cover letter.
Renewable Energy Consultation Process
Alternative Energy Requirement (AER) Programme
Renewable Energy Generating Plant statistics
Wind Energy
Wind Energy Information 
Information on Ireland's digitised Wind Atlas 
Tax Relief Scheme relating to Corporate Investment in qualifying
Renewable Energy Projects
Publications, Associations/Company details, Useful links