Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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155. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether if incentives were to be introduced for microgeneration of electricity, more microgeneration would be encouraged and emissions and fossil fuel dependency would reduce; if he will consider this course of action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47971/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The phased introduction of incentives under the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS) has already begun with the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The second phase of the scheme, announced on 22nd September, sees Solar PV grants being extended to the non-domestic sector, for installations up to and including 6 kW. Grants will also be administered by SEAI and are up to a maximum of €2,400.

Moreover, with the recent introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises of these microgenerators is now eligible for an export payment; which further supports the investment.

Since 2018, the SEAI has supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for over 12,000 homes, and with demand for the domestic Solar PV grant increasing significantly throughout the year, we expect that grant applications will exceed 12,000 in 2022 alone. I also understand that approximately 40,000 micro- and small-scale generators have successfully registered for export and over 26,550 of this cohort have smart meters which means they are already accruing the value of the CEG tariff for their exported electricity.

The final phase of the MSS will involve the introduction of a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff, to support non-domestic applicants for installation sizes greater than 6kWp up to 50kWp. This will consist of a guaranteed export tariff support for new installations, that is fixed for 15 years; and it is expected the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the CEP tariff by end of 2022.

While the level of interest in the MSS indicates that the scheme is working well, its operation and effectiveness will, like all such schemes, be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary.