Ireland Renewable Energy Regulations SI 365: Support Schemes Guide

Key Takeaways

• S.I. No. 365 of 2020 is the official citation for Ireland's EU Renewable Energy Regulations.
• The regulations define renewable sources to include 11 distinct categories of non-fossil energy.
• Support schemes must ensure renewable electricity is integrated into the market and responds to market price signals.
• Revisions to support schemes cannot negatively impact the economic viability of existing projects.

Understanding S.I. No. 365 of 2020

S.I. No. 365 of 2020, officially cited as the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2020, establishes the framework for renewable energy support schemes in Ireland. These regulations apply to support schemes administered to achieve or exceed national renewable energy targets (August 2026).

The regulations define "energy from renewable sources" broadly. This includes energy from non-fossil sources such as wind, solar (both thermal and photovoltaic), geothermal energy, ambient energy, tide, wave, and other ocean energy. Hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas, and biogas are also included (August 2026).

Support Scheme Design and Operation

The regulations mandate specific design principles for support schemes. A support scheme must be designed to ensure that electricity from renewable sources is integrated into the electricity market. It must also respond to market price signals (August 2026).

Support provided under these schemes must be granted following a process that is open, transparent, competitive, non-discriminatory, and cost-effective (August 2026).

Implementation Agreements and Project Delivery

For successful applicants in a competition, an implementation agreement is established between the applicant and the Minister. This agreement sets out matters including completion dates for the delivery of renewable energy projects, rules for project delivery, and milestones for commercial operation (August 2026).

Protection Against Adverse Revisions

A key provision within S.I. No. 365 of 2020 protects existing projects. When revising a support scheme, the Minister or the Commission shall not do so in a way that negatively impacts the rights conferred. This also applies to the economic viability of projects that already benefit from the scheme concerned (August 2026).

Guarantees of Origin and Market Integration

While S.I. No. 365 of 2020 sets the overarching framework, specific mechanisms like Guarantees of Origin (GOs) are administered separately. GOs are handled electronically by SEMO or a supervisory authority under EU Directive 2018/2001. The regulations also underpin the terms and conditions for Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auctions.