The current primary support mechanisms for renewable electricity are the REFIT (Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff) schemes. The schemes were designed to provide certainty to renewable electricity generators by providing them with a minimum price for each unit of electricity exported to the grid over a 15 year period.
The last REFIT schemes closed at 4pm on 31 December 2015.
The Department will no longer accept applications.
Please note that the final date for receipt of additional information for REFIT non compliant applicants was 31 December 2017. This was only for applicants that applied for REFIT 2 and 3 Schemes before 31 December 2015 and met the terms of the clarification notice below.
The policy context and requirements of the new wholesale market for electricity (I-SEM) continue to emerge. Regulatory certainty is needed as early as possible in that process, to enable promoters to continue to access funding and progress projects.
In parallel with the market developments, the Department is developing a new support scheme for renewable electricity (RESS) to be available from 2019 subject to state aid approval. The scheme will be subject to the new rules on public support for projects in the field of energy, adopted by the European Commission in 2014, which seek to promote a gradual move to market-based support for renewable energy.
The Minister decided in December 2016 to extend a number of deadlines that apply under the existing terms and conditions of REFIT 2 support scheme and the REFIT Clarification Notice that was published in November 2015.
Important Clarification Notice regarding applications under the REFIT Schemes,
The Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) schemes/supports are funded by the Public Service Obligation (PSO) which is paid for by all electricity consumers. The REFIT schemes have been designed to incentivise the development of renewable electricity generation in order to ensure Ireland meets its goal of 40% of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020.
More information on the REFIT Schemes Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 0.3MB)
Guidance Note on applications for extensions under clause 9.6 of the REFIT Terms and Conditions is available here.
Reference Prices
Section 5.2 of the Terms and Conditions of the three REFIT schemes provide for adjustments to reference prices by way of annual indexation using the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index as quoted by the Central Statistics Office, which you can find on their website.
Information on reference prices for 2020 can be found here.