Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS)

Harry Palmr

https://twitter.com/foeireland/status/1287808037865099266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://communitypower.ie/renewable-technologies-wind-solar-and-community-energy-get-the-green-light-as-ireland-receives-eu-approval-for-renewable-electricity-support-scheme/

“As the Minister for Climate Action, I am delighted to welcome this announcement today from the EU Commission. It endorses the government’s commitment to the Green Deal and launches a renewable energy revolution in Ireland. The RESS will provide us with a platform for rapid deployment of onshore and offshore wind and solar projects at scale and at least cost, replacing fossil fuels on our energy grid. It also offers communities the opportunity to produce their own power and share in the ownership of Ireland’s energy revolution.

Pete_Cavan

Hopefully we don't see too much solar resulting from the auction, there has been a significant number of solar farm applications over the past 12 months or more. We have huge areas of roof which can be used to harness solar energy without blanketing fields with PV panels. Some BNM solar farms on cut away bogs already with Grid connection would be acceptable.

A Dutch company plan on creating a base for offshore wind farm construction at Rosslare Europort so must be expecting offshore wind to take off;

Europort Business Park to handle future Offshore Wind – XELLZ

In early 2020, we have secured approximately 200,000 sqm of land at the port of Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland. We have divided the land into zones and the entire area will now be known as Europort Business Park (EBP). Through our offshore subsidiary 24shore and XELLZ Ireland Ltd., XELLZ will establish an offshore wind supply base there to serve and support future offshore wind farms, bringing new energy to the region.

That link also has an interview on NewsTalk with the CEO of the company. They want to serve offshore wind farms around Ireland, including UK projects in the Irish Sea. It is not linked to any specific wind farm project, it seems to be a hub which can be used by all wind farms. Rather than providing services to wind farms directly, the company seem to want to create facilities for companies to provide those services to establish at Rosslare. Looks a very positive project and is actually something which I could foresee happening. I'd wonder if Brexit plays a part in it happening this side of the Irish Sea rather than the other.