Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
201. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a grant is available for the installation of a wind turbine to generate domestic electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55237/21]
View answerThere are currently no grants available for domestic wind turbine installations. However, an upcoming Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro- and small-scale generators in Ireland, including for micro-wind turbines, allowing them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid which reflects the market value of that electricity. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlines the details for the introduction of the CEG payment. A decision is expected to be published this month with a compensation regime to follow shortly afterwards. My Department is also developing a final scheme design for the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) that incorporates the feedback from a public consultation held earlier this year and subsequent additional analysis. It is expected that a proposal on the supports to be offered under the MSS, which may include grants or premium tariff payments for new installations, will be submitted to Government before the end of the year. While the level of supports will be based on bridging the viability gap of the lowest-cost technology, which is solar PV, it is envisaged that micro-wind will be an eligible technology for support under the MSS.
