Consultation on a Small-Scale Generation Support Scheme (SSG) in Ireland

The terms and conditions of the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) were published in December 2024 and the scheme opened for applications on 27 January 2025. For more details on SRESS including the Terms and Conditions and how to apply please see the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications website.

The first phase of the SRESS involves grant supports for Renewables Self-Consumers for solar installations up to 1MW, for an interim period up to the end of 2025. These grant supports are now available under the amended Non-Domestic Solar PV Scheme, which now facilitates both micro- and small-scale generation applicants. Details of eligibility and how to apply can be found on the SEAI website.

Government has now approved the high level design of the new scheme, to be called the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. The final terms and conditions are now being developed and it is expected that the scheme will launch later in 2023.

Small-Scale Generation is defined as renewable electricity generation technologies with an electricity output greater than 50kW, but smaller than typical commercial generators.

Currently, a Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is rolling out supports to renewables self-consumers for installations below 50kW. Larger-scale commercial generators can receive support under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which is structured as a series of regular auctions. Community owned projects between 0.5 and 5MW can apply to a dedicated community category for support under the RESS.

We are now developing a support scheme for Small-Scale Generation (SSG) which will fill the gap in tariff-based supports between these two schemes, and which aims to provide an easier route to market for community projects while also enabling farmers, businesses and others to maximise their participation in the energy transition.

The SSG will contribute to meeting the renewable electricity targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021 and will be a key tool to deliver on the increased target of 5.5GW of solar by 2030 announced by Government as part of the agreement on the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings.

The aim of this consultation is to gather stakeholder feedback on aspects of a proposed support scheme for Small-Scale Generation (SSG), to help inform the design and delivery of the scheme.

The closing date for submissions was extended to 5.30pm on Thursday 13 October 2022

Submissions should be sent by email to SSGConsultation@decc.gov.ie or by post to:

Small-Scale Generation Support Scheme Consultation

Renewable Electricity Division

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

29-31 Adelaide Road

Dublin

Ireland

D02 X285

We hosted an in-person stakeholder engagement event for the SSG consultation on Thursday 15 September 2022 at Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

The event was attended by stakeholders from various interest groups and organisations.

SEAI and ESB Networks provided presentations, which are available below:

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. All submissions and feedback will be considered before the final version of the Small-Scale Generation Support Scheme (SSG) is published.

Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please also note that we intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.