Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
183. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the microgeneration scheme announced by him and due to be facilitated from January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2586/22]
View answerThe pending introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland that will allow them to receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, which reflects the market value of the electricity.The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG on 1 December 2021. This decision outlines the interim arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. The CEG will become available upon the transposition of Article 21 of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) into Irish law and will be available to both new and existing micro- and small-scale generators who fulfil the eligibility criteria set out in the CRU decision.The second phase of the enabling framework will see supports for new installations in the form of a capital grant for domestic and small non-domestic applicants, or a premium export tariff for larger non-domestic applicants under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS). The final design of the MSS was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, and the scheme will open on a phased basis in 2022. The first phase will see the transition of the current Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) solar PV grant scheme to the MSS in Q1 2022. This will mean that home-owners will continue to be able to apply to the SEAI for a grant towards the cost of installing equipment under the MSS. In 2022, grant amounts under the MSS will be at the same level per kW as the existing SEAI solar PV grant scheme. However, under the MSS, buildings will not have to meet a minimum BER standard, even after any new equipment is installed, and homes built pre-2021 will be eligible.
