The Irish Government has approved the final results of the second onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 2) auction.
Bids equating to approximately 414MW of onshore wind and 1534MW of solar have been procured in RESS 2.
The successful projects in RESS 2 represent a potential increase of nearly 20% in Ireland’s current renewable energy generation capacity.
They will be delivered between 2023 and 2025.
RESS 2 is the second of a minimum of five envisaged auctions, to occur between 2020 and 2025.
The final results will be published by EirGrid on 15 June 2022.
The package of measures announced today also see an increased borrowing limit (€3bn) for EirGrid to strengthen the National Grid as part of “Shaping Our Electricity Future” and to deliver the Celtic (Ireland-France) Interconnector.
At present, around 40% of electricity comes from renewable generation.
“Shaping Our Electricity Future” will deliver a stronger and more flexible grid – one that will ultimately carry more power.
Where it can, EirGrid will use the existing grid to meet this goal.
However, given the scale of change needed, plans are underway for significant new grid infrastructure – such as cabling and substations.
An increased borrowing limit (€650m) for Bord na Móna will drive greater deployment of indigenous renewable energy across the midlands and beyond as part of its “Brown to Green” strategy.
Bord na Móna plans to deploy up to 2GW of generating capacity by 2030.
A key part of Bord na Móna’s mission is to provide Ireland with sustainable energy from renewable sources – at scale.