Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework

Public Consultation Stage 1

Summary Document

October 2013
What is renewable energy? What is the Renewable Energy
Export Policy and Development
The EU defines energy from renewable
sources as energy from renewable non- Framework?
fossil sources, namely wind, solar,
In the national interest, we want to
aerothermal, geothermal, hydrothermal,
optimise the development of Ireland’s
ocean energy, hydropower, biomass,
renewable energy export opportunity to
landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas
other member states of the EU, in the first
and biogases.
instance the UK, in line with EU law
(Directive 2009/28/EU).

Why export renewable energy? In order to achieve this goal the

Ireland has an abundance of renewable
energy resources (e.g. wind and ocean
energy). Under the EU Renewable
Energy Directive Ireland is considering the
export of renewable energy to Member
States, in the first instance to the United
Kingdom.
There are a number of economic benefits
to Ireland that can flow from a project to
export renewable energy to the United
Kingdom:
 Employment, including construction
and maintenance
 Flow of income to local economies,
including community benefits
Department of Communications, Energy
and Natural Resources intends to develop
a framework (i.e. a plan) for the renewable
energy export opportunity in Ireland, with
particular focus on identifying areas for
large scale projects (e.g. wind farms) to
generate such energy for export.
It is intended that the framework will:
 Set out a clear national policy context
for the export of renewable energy;
 Broadly identify strategic areas in
Ireland for renewable energy
generation for export; and
 Provide guidance to planning
authorities, including An Bord Pleanála,
when considering any proposals for
renewable energy export.

 Security of supply

 Interconnection

 Exchequer benefits
What’s an SEA? framework (plan) will have on the
environment and any necessary measures
The framework (plan) for renewable to mitigate impact.
energy export will be underpinned by
environmental assessments to assist in Appropriate Assessment (AA) – this

developing a sustainable policy and assessment informs decision makers of

development framework. The two the impacts the draft framework (plan) will

environmental assessments are: have on the integrity of European sites

(areas designated under the European
Strategic Environmental Assessment Habitats Directive to protect specific
(SEA) - this assessment informs the public natural habitats).
and decision makers of the effect the draft

How can the public input to the process?

The process to develop the renewable energy policy and development framework is
expected to take approximately 12 months. Before adoption of the policy and framework,
there will be three key points at which public consultations will be held to seek input and
feedback from all stakeholders including the general public.
When does the Public Consultation begin?

The Public Consultation process has started with the publication of this document. The
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is now seeking input under
the Stage 1 Consultation process as below.

Stage 1 Public Consultation

This is the first consultation phase which informs all stakeholders including local authorities,
potential project developers and local communities of the intent to prepare a renewable
energy export policy and development framework and outlines the procedures involved.

The public and interested parties are invited to make a written submission on the proposed
Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework. As the framework will be
underpinned by a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment,
submissions may include relevant key environmental issues that should be addressed in the
Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement which will accompany the draft
Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework 1.

To support input from the general public a more detailed information document, providing
background to the project and some specific questions on which we would like feedback,
has been published on DCENR’s website at www.dcenr.gov.ie.

Written submissions or observations in relation to the proposed policy and development

framework may be made to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural
Resources by 17:30 on Friday 22 November 2013.

Any submission or observation should be marked “Renewable Energy Export Framework”

and sent to Mr. Alan Duggan, Department of Communications, Energy and Natural
Resources, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 or e-mailed to export@dcenr.gov.ie.

Submissions and observations will be taken into account in the preparation of the
Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework. The Department may
publish all submissions received on its website. Respondents should clearly identify material
that is confidential and which may not be published. The provisions of the Freedom of
Information Acts 1997 to 2003 apply.

1
In accordance with SI No. 435/2004 EU (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (as
amended by SI No. 200/2011) the environmental authorities will be notified separately to this consultation process