194. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will consider expanding the small-scale renewable electricity support scheme to include biomass and gasification technologies, particularly where locally sourced low-grade wood resources can be utilised for renewable electricity generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56724/26]

The Programme for Government commits to promoting the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) to simplify market access for community, SME and farmer-owned solar and wind projects.

The SRESS export tariff is designed for community, SME and farmer export only projects above 50kW to 6MW. SRESS offers a simpler route to market for those groups, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind, aligning more closely to the capacity of those sectors.

The SRESS export tariffs are available for solar and onshore wind technologies as the vast majority of renewable electricity generation projects being developed, and expected to receive grid connection offers, comprise these two technologies. Onshore wind and solar energy generation typically have a lower levelised cost of electricity than other technologies

Support for biomass technology as renewable heat source is provided via the Department’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat. The scheme is designed to financially support the installation and/or operation of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users. Through the Scheme’s operational supports, almost €5.6 million in tariff payments has been dispersed to biomass-based projects around the country to date, with an additional €31.6 million committed in operational aid over the next 15 years.