The Irish government approved the terms of the second Renewable Electricity Support Scheme 2 (RESS 2) auction. This will commence on November 23, which is when EirGrid is expected to release the qualifications information package.
RESS 2 can be expected to boost renewable energy generation by up to 3,500 GWh by the end of 2024. It is similar in design to RESS 1, as announced by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
Under the RESS program, at least five auctions are planned to be held between 2020 and 2025, in support of the government’s target of reducing emissions by 51% and reaching up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030.
“The increase in renewable energy will insulate Ireland from volatile international gas and carbon prices, which are near an all-time high,” commented Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan.
The scheme will be open to a range of technologies, including coupling renewables with storage, the department said.
Applications for qualification remain open from December 7, while the auction submission date will be May 2, 2022. The auction will close on May 10.
RESS 2 will have an accelerated schedule compared to the draft schedule published in June. According to the schedule published by EirGrid, the opening date for qualification applications will be December 7 and the auction submission date will be May 2, 2022. The auction will end on May 10 and provisional results will be published on May 17.
Source:
Renewablesnow.com. 2021. Ireland kicks off RESS 2 auction process. [online] Available at: <https://renewablesnow.com/news/ireland-kicks-off-ress-2-auction-process-759402/> [Accessed 17 December 2021].