Public consultation on the draft Terms and Conditions of the First Offshore Competition under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 1)

This consultation is on the draft Terms and Conditions for the First Offshore Competition under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 1). This first offshore auction will be a major step in meeting the 2030 ambition set out in the Programme for Government of 5GW of offshore installed capacity and at least 70% renewable electricity. It will also support the achievement of the ambition set out under the Climate Action Bill and the policies and measures in the Climate Action Plan 2021. The consultation will provide feedback for consideration in the development and implementation of the final Terms and Conditions for the ORESS 1.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) provides support to renewable electricity projects in Ireland. With a primary focus on cost effectiveness, the RESS delivers a broader range of policy objectives, including:

• providing an Enabling Framework for Community Participation through the provision of pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects
• increasing technology diversity by broadening the renewable electricity technology mix
• delivering an ambitious renewable electricity policy to 2030
• increasing energy security, energy sustainability and ensuring the cost effectiveness of energy policy

Renewable electricity is a central element of our action on climate disruption and delivering a ‘renewables revolution’ as set out in the Programme for Government. The RESS Scheme ensures that we are on a pathway to meet our ambitious climate targets and lays the foundations of a thriving and cost effective renewable electricity market. This will support the growth of the green economy, create sustainable work opportunities, and ultimately benefit the consumer as renewables become more cost effective.

The aim of this targeted consultation is to receive stakeholder feedback on aspects of the Offshore RESS Terms and Conditions which may impede on the efficient and economical delivery of renewable electricity projects under ORESS 1. These draft terms exclusively relate to the first offshore auction and should not be taken as a basis for future planned offshore auctions.

The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm 6 December 2021

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

ORESS 1 Terms and Conditions Consultation

International and Offshore Wind Division

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin, D02 X285

We held a public stakeholder information event on the ORESS 1 Terms and Conditions on 2 November 2021 .

The event, which was held virtually, involved presentations from DECC and our advisors, and was followed by a question and answer session.

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 Terms and Conditions 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.