2020 Policy for Renewables
On July 25th 2005 the Governments of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland jointly issued a preliminary consultation paper on an all-island '2020 Vision' for renewable energy. The paper sought views on the development of a joint strategy for the provision of renewable energy sourced electricity within the All-island Energy Market leading up to 2020 and beyond. A working group was established to specify and oversee the completion of studies that would provide more detailed information on the above issues The working group recommended an "All Island Grid Study" comprised of 4 work-streams. (Click here to see more detail on the 4 work streams)
(Link to Workstreams 1-4) doc
The final report is due for publication in early September 2007.
Support Mechanisms
On 1st May 2006, the Minister for Communications Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, T.D., announced the publication of the next market support mechanism for renewables to be known as the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT). (Link to REFIT terms and Conditions PDF)
The Market
The All-Island Project is a joint initiative run by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) & the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation (NIAER)
The aim of the project is to create a single market for natural gas and electricity on the island of Ireland. The project was started following a joint policy decision by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to create the all-island energy market.
To read more about the AIP visit www.allislandproject.org
Regulation
The CER is the regulator for the electricity and natural gas sectors in Ireland. The CER was first set up in 1999 and our role and functions have been expanded over time. The CER is also responsible for regulating connections to the grid for renewable generators. The current mechanism for connecting wind to the Irish National Grid is the GATE 2 connection process.
For more information on the work of the CER go to www.cer.ie/en/renewables-overview.aspx
Planning
The Department of the Environment originally issued Planning Guidelines for Wind development in September 1996. These Guidelines were subsequently updated in 2006. The Guidelines offer advice to planning authorities on planning for wind energy through the development plan process and in determining applications for planning permission. The Guidelines also act as a resource to developers on the appropriate steps required for a successful planning application to the local authorities. A copy of the 2006 Guidelines can be downloaded by clicking here.
(Link to Planning Guidelines PDF) Some individual counties have wind planning strategies in their county development
