Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45445/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has responsibility for the National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP), with ESB Networks (ESBN) delivering the roll-out across the country, on a phased basis. However, I understand that the proposed 3-phase smart meter solution encountered some technical issues which has delayed the planned roll-out date. ESBN have since identified a solution for this, and the roll-out of 3-phase whole current smart meters is now expected to begin in Q3, 2025.

In the interim, renewables self-consumers with 3-phase connections remain eligible for deemed export payments under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme. In December 2021, CRU published a Decision on an interim enabling framework for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), enabling payments to micro-generators for excess electricity exported to the grid, which outlines the arrangements for its implementation, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. This process was reviewed in the CRU’s consultation on an enduring CEG, which resulted in a decision paper, published in June 2024.

Under certain conditions outlined in these CRU decisions, customers with microgeneration but who are not yet eligible for a smart meter (such as those with 3-phase meters) may still avail of the CEG. Under these conditions a deemed quantity will be calculated by ESBN, using the CRU agreed calculation method available here: cruie-live-96ca64acab2247eca8a850a7e54b-5b34f62.divio-media.com/documents/CRU21131-Interim-Clean-Export-Guarantee-Decision-Paper.pdf. Both CEG decision papers are available on the CRU website, cru.ie.