The Irish government introduced the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) to support renewable electricity projects and help achieve Ireland’s target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030. The RESS is an auction-based scheme where projects compete to receive a guaranteed price for their electricity.
Under the rules of Ireland’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, all renewable electricity generation projects (including on shore wind, solar and off-shore wind) must establish a Community Benefit Fund to be used for the wider economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of the local community. The principal purpose of the CBF fund is to provide funds for the benefit of the community in the area where RESS projects are situated to ensure local communities benefit from Ireland’s renewable energy transition. The contribution is to be set at €2 per Megawatt hour of generation of the RESS Project. ESB Will comply with RESS and Good Practice Guidelines.
For more information see the following links:
gov.ie – Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) (www.gov.ie)
gov.ie – Community Projects and Benefit Funds – RESS (www.gov.ie)