John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his targets in relation to micro generation in view of the tariffs agreed a number of months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35564/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In February 2009 I launched the Micro Generation programme, which is being operated by ESB Customer Supply and supported by ESB Networks. The programme is aimed at encouraging up to 4,000 domestic customers to become involved in micro-scale projects within the next three years. It will also enable two-way metering, to be installed without additional charge to the customer. The domestic electricity producer will be paid a price of 19 cent per kilowatt-hour for any electricity exported to the grid, which will help to defray the initial start up costs. The micro technologies in question include wind, hydro and domestic scale combined heat and power.

Micro-scale electricity generation will benefit the participating customers up-front by offsetting their purchase of electricity from their electricity suppliers. The additional incentive of a guaranteed price for electricity exported back to the grid is a significant encouragement to invest. This competitive feed-in tariff will apply to the first 4,000 micro-generation installations countrywide over the next 3 years. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has also launched a Micro-generation Pilot Programme, involving research and technology monitoring programmes, including support for between 50 and 60 installations on a pilot basis, of micro-scale projects. The field trials will address a range of issues including grid connection and technical standards to ensure the power security, safety and quality of installations.