Households situated within 1km of new windfarm developments may be eligible for an annual payment of €1,000 until 2037.

The payment is one of a number of measures under the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which aims to increase community participation for renewable projects.

RESS has been designed to promote investment in renewable electricity generation to contribute toward Ireland’s target of 70% renewable electricity (RES-e) by 2030.

Eligible technologies include onshore and offshore wind projects, solar and high-efficiency CHP boilers fuelled exclusively by either biogas, biomass or waste.

Under the terms of the new support, any project which receives funding will be obliged to establish a ‘community development fund’ prior to the operation of the project.

Contribution to the fund will be €2/MWh of loss-adjusted metered quantity (metered electricity quantity adjusted to reflect transmission losses and distribution losses).

The fund will be open for applications from the surrounding community to avail of financial support for local projects. The renewable project developer must take steps to raise awareness and promote the annual application process.

Distribution

The developer or their agent will be charged with operating the community benefit fund and will distribute the funds for the duration of the relevant RESS-funded project as follows:

  • A minimum of 40% of the funds will be paid to not-for-profit community enterprises whose primary focus or aim is the promotion of initiatives towards the delivery of the UN sustainable development goals.
  • A maximum of 10% of the funds may be spent on administration.
  • For onshore wind projects only, a minimum of €1,000 will be paid to each household located within a distance of 1km from the project. Near-neighbour payments for households located between 1km and 2km may also be paid depending on available funds.
  • The balance of the funds will be spent on initiatives successful in an annual application process, as proposed by clubs and societies and similar not-for-profit entities.

    • Mandatory

    If a developer fails to comply with this, the letter of offer for grant aid may be withdrawn. However, derogations may be possible if the project does not have sufficient funds to develop the community benefit fund.

    In addition to the community benefit fund, communities are also encouraged to develop their own renewable energy project through ring-fenced funding. Find a full breakdown of the new RESS scheme in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.