Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
210. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the microgeneration rebate scheme for householders who invested in microgeneration is in place; when they will receive the money due back to them; if this money will be backdated to 1 July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39138/22]
View answer211. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that have been taken to expedite action 105 of the deliverables framework of the Climate Action Plan in order that domestic dwellings can be reimbursed for the generation of electricity to the grid. [39139/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
On the 15 February, this year I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. More information is available here: Clean Export Tariff - Commission for Regulation of Utilities (cru.ie)
Micro-generators who wish to become eligible should register for an export grid connection from ESB Networks (Micro-Generators (esbnetworks.ie)) and have a smart meter where applicable (Smart Meter Upgrade FAQs (esbnetworks.ie)).
I understand that over 32,000 micro- and small-scale generators have successfully registered for export and 22,000 of this cohort have smart meters which means they are already accruing the value of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff for their exported electricity. Payments will be backdated to the date of eligibility or the 15th February 2022, whichever is the latest.
The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis and has asked suppliers to communicate their decision to their customers on when initial CEG payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. The CRU encourages customers to contact their supplier to obtain information on their suppliers' CEG tariff arrangements.
The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for a timely direct reply.
