Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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161. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment why the PSO levy has not been removed from the ESB bills in view of the effectiveness of the wind energy and solar power in recent years; what plans are in place to remove the PSO levy in totality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23158/23]

Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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183. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment why the PSO levy has not been removed from ESB bills in view of the effectiveness of the wind energy and solar power in recent years; what plans are in place to remove the PSO levy in totality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23155/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 183 together.

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy is a vital policy support for the development of renewable electricity and to enable Ireland reach our national and EU energy and climate targets. The PSO provides support for renewable generators under a number of Government schemes, including the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and the Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) schemes.

The CRU has statutory responsibility to calculate the PSO on an annual basis and to ensure that the scheme is administered appropriately and efficiently.

Due to unprecedented and sustained levels of wholesale electricity prices, the CRU calculated that the PSO levy for the 2022/23 PSO Year would be negative. In June 2022 Government amended the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 to allow the CRU, if it deems it appropriate, to direct that final electricity customers are credited with a benefit, if the PSO levy has been calculated as a negative.

On 01 October 2022, the PSO levy on electricity customers' bills was set to zero while the CRU and EirGrid developed a mechanism to credit customers with the PSO benefit. From 01 March 2023, electricity customers have been receiving a PSO benefit on their bills. These benefit payments will continue until at least 30 September 2023.