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The prospects of major changes to the renewable sector in Ireland in 2017 are still on the cards. Many are waiting in anticipation for proposed changes over coming weeks. We understand the tax implications for farmers considering solar developments are still under discussion. There is a working group between the various interested Government departments.
It is hoped in 2017 that a change will allow land under solar qualify for agricultural relief. The issue is still that the land under solar doesn’t qualify for relief and, more importantly, it can disqualify other land belonging to the land owner. Just last month, the ESB and Bord na Móna announced the creation of a joint venture to create four large solar farms on Bord na Móna land in the midlands.
Elsewhere, Thomas Hubert reports for us that the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment is preparing three aspects of the policy that will decide how much farmers can participate in renewable energy generation.
These include the establishment of BioEnergy Ireland, the joint venture between Bord na Móna and Coillte due to create a distribution network to collect biomass such as timber products or energy crops and bring it to the energy users, such as power stations.
For renewable electricity, the public consultation phase is scheduled for June, with a target start date in the first half of next year pending Government and EU approval.
Following the public consultation on the proposed renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment is currently reviewing submissions and still intends to announce details of the scheme by the end of the year.
Farming organisations have called on the Government to include on-farm energy generation in support schemes and there is still hope that this will happen.
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