Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
122. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the microgeneration support scheme participants will receive payment for excess renewable electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54880/22]
View answer123. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated timeframe for future payments will be determined for the microgeneration support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54881/22]
View answer124. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the tariffs for excess renewable electricity that suppliers export to the grid; the way that these will be correlated to current market value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54882/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122 to 124, inclusive, together.
The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by government on 21st December 2021 and the phased introduction of key MSS supports has already begun. Both Domestic applicants and non-domestic applicants (for installations up to 6kW) can apply to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for a grant towards the cost of installing Solar PV equipment . Capital grants are currently available up to a maximum of €2,400.
In December 2021 the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published an interim decision for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff which outlines arrangements for implementation of the tariff, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. As part of this, the CRU decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis which must be reflective of the market, or wholesale, value of the electricity, in line with the requirements of Article 21(2)(d) of the recast Renewable Energy Directive.
I am aware that suppliers have published a range of CEG tariffs from €13.5c/kWh up to €20c/kWh which allows customers to shop around to obtain the best rates for selling and purchasing electricity. I am also aware that while suppliers have advertised their rates, not all suppliers have made initial payments. The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision to their customers on when initial CEG payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. However, it is important to note that microgenerators will not lose out, as payments will be backdated to the date of eligibility or 15 February 2022 (the date the regulations were enacted), whichever is the latest.
It should be noted that a domestic electricity consumer is charged a retail electricity price which is set by their supplier, taking account of the cost to purchase electricity on the wholesale market, to cover the operational costs of the company and their operating margin; while also remaining competitive in the marketplace. This also includes the network charges required for use of the electricity grid. As such, retail electricity prices and CEG remuneration tariffs cannot be compared on a like for like basis.
It is a matter for the CRU to review the interim CEG arrangements with a view to putting in place an enduring solution.
