Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 September 2022
80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of grid connection for farmers intending to take part in the microgeneration support scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47764/22]
View answerGrid connections for up to 6kW (single phase, usually domestic) and up to 11kW (three phase, usually small farm or commercial settings) follow ESB Network’s simple and free of charge "Inform and Fit" process, using the Microgeneration Installation notification form (NC6). This is normally completed and submitted by your registered Solar PV or Safe Electric installer. ESB Networks introduced a new pilot grid connection application process for generators between 6kW and 50kW on 17 December 2021, costing approximately €1,000. Customers can apply by submitting the Mini-Generation Application Form (NC7). This initial phase of the pilot process has been completed and approximately 150 applications are being processed by ESBN. A second phase of the pilot is underway since 1 July 2022 and will run for six months, enabling a further 500 Mini-Generation applications to be processed. Learnings from the pilot phases will be taken into account in advance of the role out of the enduring process. As of 9th September, ESB Networks has processed 39,912 NC6 applications (the average installation is ~3kW , giving a total of ~120MW of microgeneration installations on the network) and 143 NC7 applications as part of pilot 1 and is awaiting customer declaration installation certificates from a number of customers. There is a total of 5.7MWs under mini-gen pilot 1. As of the same date, ESB Networks has received a further 320 NC7 applications as part of pilot 2, which are currently being processed. There is a total of 9.5MWs under mini-gen pilot 2.
