Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

276. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a price for selling back solar energy to the grid will be put in place. [50680/21]

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

A Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff will be available to all renewables self-consumers later this year, including those with solar PV installations, subject to regulatory arrangements and the transposition of Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II).This tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland, allowing them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid, reflective of the market value of that electricity.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlines the details for the introduction of the CEG payment, along with eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction. The CRU proposes that a competitive approach will apply to the CEG tariff. I understand the CRU consultation will last four weeks, with a decision expected to be published in November and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards.  

Further to a public consultation held earlier this year, my Department is developing a final scheme design for the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) that incorporates the feedback from the consultation and subsequent additional analysis. It is expected that a proposal on the supports to be offered to citizens, farms, schools and businesses under the MSS, which may include grants or premium tariff payments for new installations, will be submitted to Government later this year.

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

277. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role which former peat fired power stations may play in the decarbonisation of the electricity system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50684/21]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

278. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role which former peat fired power stations may play in the decarbonisation of the electricity system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50685/21]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 278 together.

The management of ESB-owned facilities are an operational matter for the Board and management of the ESB.

The Just Transition Commissioner made a recommendation in his first progress report, published in May 2020, that a study be undertaken in relation to the future potential of the ESB power stations at both Lanesborough (Lough Ree Power) and Shannonbridge (West Offaly Power) for the establishment of a dedicated Energy Hub in the Midlands. This was subsequently included as a commitment in the Programme for Government.

ESB has been participating in a number of working groups established under the Just Transition programme which looked at the future of the Midlands area following the closure of the ESB Midlands stations and the ending of the harvesting of peat by Bord na Móna. 

One of the working groups, which included representatives of my Department, relevant Local Authorities, and the Just Transition Commissioner, looked specifically at how the existing infrastructure on the station sites might form a part of a future renewable energy hub. To that end, ESB commissioned an internal engineering report to examine how the power plants might be re-used in the future. Options reviewed included the possibility of using other types of fuel. The report was subsequently reviewed by Fichtner, an external international consultancy firm with acknowledged expertise in these areas. These reports have not identified any viable alternative use for the existing power plants.

ESB has informed the Department, however,  that it plans to lodge planning applications shortly to develop additional energy services at these sites. These will include synchronous condensers and energy storage capabilities at both locations.