RESS Community Impacts Research

Project Description

This SEAI research project will measure the effect of community benefit funds and household payments on the attitudes of people who live close to new wind and solar projects. Such an evaluation is a requirement from the European Commission which approved the state aid provided through RESS on condition of a rigorous evaluation of the overall socio-economic impact of the RESS. This study fulfils one component of the overall socio-economic impact evaluation. In doing so it also provides original and valuable longitudinal socio-demographic and attitudinal data on the effects of the national energy transition on those households closest to new renewable energy infrastructure.

The study will employ a difference-in-difference approach to achieve its objective. In 2022, SEAI, Indecon Economic Consultants and Ipsos MRBI designed and conducted the 'baseline' national survey of households close to 50 new wind and solar power generation projects. In 2024 or 2025 (depending on progress with implementing the RESS policy), SEAI will commission the 'second wave' survey and analysis of the longitudinal study.