Current Status of REFIT 3 Scheme

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO. 326

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the new REFIT scheme, known as REFIT 3, is expected to receive clearance form the European Commission for State aid; the reason for the delay in receiving clearance to date; if he is actively pursuing the issue with the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Anthony Lawlor.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 29th November, 2011.

Ref No: 37536/11 Proof: 439

REPLY

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Mr P Rabbitte)

REFIT 3 is designed to support a range of technologies including Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Anaerobic Digestion as well as for co-firing of biomass in the peat power plants.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that earlier this month my Department received the State Aid clearance decision from DG Competition for the REFIT 3 biomass technologies application. Government approval is currently being sought to open the scheme and once this has been obtained, the scheme will be formally launched and open for applications.

Following on from the State Aid approval for the biomass REFIT, I am confident that approval will also be secured in the very near future for the onshore wind REFIT application.