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

The pending introduction of a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland. This will allow all renewables self-consumers, including farmers, 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 decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG on 1 December last. This decision, inter alia, outlines eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. The CEG will become available upon the transposition of Article 21 of RED II into Irish law, which is expected to be complete before year end, and will be available to both new and existing micro- and small-scale generators who fulfil the eligibility criteria as determined by the CRU.

My Department is also developing the final scheme design for the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS). It is expected that a proposal on the supports to be offered for new installations under the Scheme, including for farms, will be finalised shortly. Following Government approval, it is expected that the scheme design will be published in early 2022 and supports will be introduced on a phased basis during the year.

The Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generators, i.e. above 50kW but smaller than those supported by the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, which will be progressed in 2022 and is expected to become available in 2023.