Written answers

Thursday, 12 March 2009

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Alternative Energy Projects

5:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress being made on the roll out of net metering across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10416/09]

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has plans to provide grant aid towards the provision of small wind farms or other forms of electricity; if progress has been made to get the ESB to accept surplus power generated by such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10364/09]

Photo of Michael D'ArcyMichael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the new feed in tariff on offer to allow microgeneration at a domestic level to sell electricity back on to the grid is adequate to attract investment in microgeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10422/09]

Photo of Seán PowerSeán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 51 and 56 together.

The Minister is satisfied that the various incentives now in place to support microgeneration investment will attract sufficient market interest and ensure the roll-out of microgeneration projects.

Net-metering specifically enables the development of small scale renewable energy projects by domestic customers. It allows the export of electricity back to the grid, reversing the electricity meter and offsetting electricity previously bought by the customer. The standard electricity meter installed by ESB Networks does not operate in reverse and cannot therefore support a net-metering programme. Customers investing in microscale projects will require net, or two-way, metering to be installed by ESB Networks at no additional charge.

The recently announced guaranteed price for electricity exported back to the grid is a significant incentive for potential investors in domestic microgeneration.

It is the case that the commercial interest of electricity suppliers is in purchasing power from larger scale renewable energy projects producing electricity in commercial quantities. The REFIT support Scheme, which is administered by the Department, provides fixed prices for electricity produced from renewable energy powered plants. The generators must source and contract with one of the electricity suppliers to purchase their power. The suppliers, in turn, are compensated at pre-set fixed levels for the additional costs they incur in purchasing and trading the electricity.

Micro-scale projects given their small size require a different solution. The new microgeneration programme, operated by ESB Networks and supported by ESB Customer Supply, will facilitate up to 4,000 domestic customers investing in micro-scale projects by providing a guaranteed price of 19 cent per kilowatt hour for electricity exported to the grid.

SEI's Micro-generation Pilot Programme includes support for between 50 and 60 microgeneration installations to develop technical solutions. The research and field trials will address technical issues including grid connection and standards to ensure the power security, safety and quality of installations.

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