Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a universal rate will be decided on for microgeneration customers who have signed up to sell power from solar panels back to the national grid; if a date for these payments has been set, given that it was originally due to be in December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63254/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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On 15th February of 2022 I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on all suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value.  

In December 2021 the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for its implementation, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology (CRU21131-Interim-Clean-Export-Guarantee-Decision-Paper.pdf). As part of this, the CRU decided that suppliers would set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Payments will be backdated to the date of eligibility or the 15th February 2022 (the date the regulations were enacted), whichever is the latest.  

The CRU has asked all suppliers to communicate their decision to their customers on when  CEG payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. I am aware that  suppliers have now advertised their rates, which range from €13.5c/kWh up to €21c/kW. The CRU advises customers to contact their supplier to obtain information on their suppliers' CEG tariff arrangements.  I am also aware that the CRU intends to review the CEG framework earlier in 2023 to ensure that remuneration rates are reflective of the current market.

CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.