From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
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Consultation is open
An integral part of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), that aims to provide support to renewable electricity projects in Ireland, is the requirement to establish a Community Benefit Fund (CBF) to be used in the interest of the community in proximity of the project. The contribution is set at €2/MWh.
The aim of the RESS Community Benefit Fund is to ensure that local communities hosting renewable projects benefit from Ireland’s energy transition. Both local communities and generators may take advantage of a framework that encourages and facilitates a productive relationship.
The requirement for further guidance on the establishment and operation of CBFs was recognised, notwithstanding the basic mandatory guidelines governing the operation of the funds set out in each specific RESS auction’s Terms and Conditions. Accordingly, a first Good Practice Principles Handbook was published by the Department in 2021, providing additional guidance to the Funds’ stakeholders.
Since then, the first projects supported by the first RESS auction (RESS 1) have reached commercial operation, and the first CBFs have been registered and have started funding local projects in their local areas.
The experience gained through the establishment of the first CBFs has provided an opportunity to reflect on the learnings, successes and challenges associated with establishing CBFs. It is therefore appropriate to now hold a public consultation to gather feedback from all stakeholders with the aim of publishing a new CBF Rulebook with updated guidance and modifying the RESS 5 Terms and Conditions from the RESS 4 Terms and Conditions.
We have developed a number of proposals, taking on board lessons learned since the first CBFs commencing operation and previous feedback received from different stakeholders. The aim of the consultation is to receive stakeholder feedback on these proposed aspects of the Terms and Conditions and the introduction of a new CBF Rulebook which seek to ensure a clearer and more effective delivery of the Community Benefit Funds under RESS.
The aim of this targeted consultation is to gather stakeholder feedback on the proposed modifications in the Community Benefit Funds under RESS, which includes potential changes in the Terms and Conditions for RESS 5 from the RESS 4 Terms and Conditions, as well as the introduction of a new CBF Rulebook.
We will host a stakeholder workshop in hybrid format – in-person and online, during the consultation period. Details of this event will be published in early 2025.
The government has set a target of generating 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030, including a specific target of 9 GW onshore wind and 8 GW solar capacity. One of the Government’s main mechanisms to meet these targets is the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), characterised by a series of competitive auctions held since 2020.
As part of the Terms and Conditions of RESS, generators must establish a Community Benefit Fund to be used in the interest of the community in proximity to the project. The aim of the RESS Community Benefit Fund is to ensure that local communities hosting renewable projects benefit from Ireland's energy transition.
The Consultation Document is available for download below.
Community Benefit Funds under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme - Consultation Document
The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm on Friday, 14 February 2025
Submissions should be sent by email to CBFConsultation@decc.gov.ie or by post to:
CBF Consultation
Renewable Electricity Division
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Tom Johnson House
Haddington Road
Dublin 4
D04 K7X4
We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. We will consider all submissions and feedback before we publish the final versions of the RESS 5 Terms and Conditions and the Community Benefit Funds under RESS Rulebook.
Your response to this consultation is subject to:
The department will carefully consider all comments and suggestions received and will publish a consultation response. Given the expected volume and the variety of comments, the department does not intend to respond to individual submissions but will group responses and provide an overall response to each consultation topic.
We will redact (remove) personal data before publication.
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