Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
201. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a response will issue to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to payment for excess power generated by household PV panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6302/22]
View answerThe Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland allowing them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid at a competitive market rate.My Department is at an advanced stage of transposing Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive into Irish law and it is envisaged that this will be achieved in the coming weeks. This will give effect to the above-mentioned articles and allow for the commencement of export payments to micro- and small-scale generators by their suppliers.Following a public consultation, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG on 1 December 2021 which outlines the interim arrangements, including eligibility criteria and the remuneration methodology. The CRU has decided upon a competitive market-based approach to the setting of this tariff, as well as a number of provisions to ensure that its implementation aligns with the National Smart Metering Programme.It is envisaged that initial payments or credits from suppliers will be available after June of this year and the CRU has requested that suppliers communicate their decision on when initial CEG payments will be made to customers at the earliest opportunity. The supplier may offer back-payments in the form of a credit to an account, if this approach is considered to be the most appropriate. The CRU also expects back-payments to be communicated clearly to customers of each supplier.Furthermore, a tax disregard of €200 was introduced in Budget 2021 in respect of personal income received by households who sell residual renewable electricity, which they generate, back to the grid.
