Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS)

 The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is Ireland’s flagship support scheme for grid-scale onshore renewable electricity generators. RESS is characterised by a series of auctions throughout the lifetime of the scheme with supports structured as a two-way CfD type mechanism comparing a strike price (bid price) with a reference market price, based on metered output. Support is offered for a nominal period of 15 years. There have been five RESS auctions completed to date, with the sixth auction (RESS 6) expected to take place in the second half of 2026. RESS has been instrumental in providing a supportive policy environment for Ireland’s growing renewables sector since the first auction in 2020 and aligns closely with the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce through the range of consumer protection measures included in the auction design. To date the scheme has been the primary means of delivering the long-term energy transition in Ireland and associated benefits for consumers. 

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