Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department outlined proposals for a new Micro-generation Support Scheme in a public consultation that closed on 18 February last. A summary report of the submissions received has now been published on my Department's website.While the primary aim of a micro-generation scheme is to enable a household to meet its own electricity needs, it is envisaged that a suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all renewables self-consumers in the second half of 2021, subject to regulatory arrangements, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. Intensive work is underway with a view to achieving transposition of the Directive into Irish law as soon as possible.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will publish a draft framework later this year which will outline the details, including eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction, of the Clean Export Guarantee payment for exported renewable electricity from micro-generators.

The CRU is also leading on co-ordinating the National Smart Metering Programme, and is working with ESB Networks in delivering the electricity meter rollout on a phased basis. Since the rollout commenced in September 2019, over 319,000 meters have been installed to the end of May 2021. ESB Networks are working with customers, electricity supply companies and other industry stakeholders to upgrade meters for customers who have informed them that they have installed micro-generation, which can be done by submitting an NC6 form to ESB Networks. Further details are available at the following link:

Micro-Generators (esbnetworks.ie)