There are three separate and distinct phases of the framework for micro- and small-scale renewable electricity generation in Ireland. The first is the pending introduction of a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff. This will allow all renewables self-consumers to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid, reflective of the market value of that electricity. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlined the details for the introduction of the CEG payment. I understand a decision is expected to be published in the coming weeks and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards, subject to the transposition of Article 21 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive into Irish law.Secondly, my Department is also developing a final scheme design for a Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) that incorporates the feedback from a public consultation held earlier this year, and subsequent additional analysis. A proposal on the supports to be offered under the MSS will be submitted to Government before the end of the year. It is intended that a final scheme design will be published early next year. Supports under the MSS will be introduced on a phased basis, taking account of the need to offer appropriate support mechanisms for relevant cohorts of micro-generators. The timelines for the steps necessary to deliver this phased introduction of MSS supports will be outlined in the forthcoming annex of actions to the Climate Action Plan. Finally, a small-scale generation support scheme to facilitate generators in cohorts not as suited to other schemes will represent the third phase of the overall framework. This will be progressed in 2022 and is expected to become available in 2023.
