Ireland S.I. 97/2025: Renewable Energy Permitting & RED III Guide
Updated 6 September 2026 · By SolarNevs Research Desk, Dealer surveys + verified sources · 1 source · Method ↗
Key Takeaways
- Statutory Instrument S.I. No. 97 of 2025 (European Union (Renewable Energy)(Amendment) Regulations 2025) amends S.I. No. 350 of 2022.
- Enacted by Minister Eamon Ryan under Section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972 (No. 27 of 1972).
- Transposes Articles 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 29a, 29b, and 30 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 into domestic law.
- Harmonises the definition of "final customer" with S.I. No. 60 of 2005 (Internal Market in Electricity).
- Defines the joint supervisory role of the Minister, SEAI (Authority), and EPA (Agency) as competent authorities.
Statutory Purpose of S.I. No. 97 of 2025
Published in Iris Oifigiúil on 18 April 2025, S.I. No. 97 of 2025 updates Ireland's regulatory framework governing renewable energy accounting and sustainability verification.
By amending the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations (2) 2022 (S.I. No. 350 of 2022), the instrument strengthens administrative oversight across the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, SEAI, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Harmonised Definitions & Competent Authorities
Regulation 3 and 4 introduce updated statutory definitions to eliminate cross-regulatory conflicts:
Defined Entity | Amended Statutory Meaning | Legislative Harmonisation |
|---|---|---|
Final Customer | Consumer purchasing electricity for own use | Aligned with S.I. No. 60 of 2005 Reg 2 |
Competent Authority | Minister, SEAI (Authority), or EPA (Agency) | Joint enforcement of renewable criteria |
Principal Regulations | European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations (2) 2022 | S.I. No. 350 of 2022 |
Non-Double-Counting | Exemption where fuel/energy is proven already accounted for | S.I. No. 97/2025 Reg 5 / Reg 10(6) |
Administrative Integrity & Sustainability Oversight
Under S.I. No. 97 of 2025, economic operators and energy developers must adhere to updated accounting standards:
- Prevention of Double Counting: Regulation 10(6) establishes an explicit defence where renewable fuels or electricity allocations have already been accounted for in national registries.
- SEAI Administrative Guidance: Sustainable Energy Ireland acts as the central technical body certifying renewable energy compliance and verification methodologies.
- EPA Environmental Safeguards: The Environmental Protection Agency supervises greenhouse gas emission reduction verifications across commercial projects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the primary statutory purpose of S.I. No. 97 of 2025?
S.I. No. 97 of 2025 amends the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations (2) 2022 (S.I. No. 350 of 2022) to transpose Articles 25 through 30 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 into domestic Irish law (August 2026).
How is 'final customer' defined under the amended 2025 regulations?
Under Regulation 3, 'final customer' adopts the statutory meaning assigned in Regulation 2 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 60 of 2005) (August 2026).
Which bodies are designated as 'competent authorities' under S.I. No. 97 of 2025?
The competent authorities are designated as the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEAI), or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (August 2026).
What anti-double-counting rule is introduced under Regulation 10(6)?
Regulation 10(6) establishes that renewable obligations do not apply where an economic operator proves the relevant fuel or energy has already been accounted for in compliance calculations (August 2026).
References
- Irish Statute Book: S.I. No. 97 of 2025 — accessed 31 August 2026
Related guides
More from schemes, subsidies & financing.