Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
199. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider increasing the Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27612/23]
View answerThe Government approved the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) in December 2021, to support 380MW of new micro-generation capacity by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan. This would generate over 300 GWh of renewable electricity per annum, with the potential to abate 1.4 million tonnes of CO2eq over the lifetime of the installations. The MSS provides support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations up to 50kW. These applicants will also be eligible to avail of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff.
The first phase of the scheme saw the commencement of the MSS Domestic Solar PV grant on 16th February 2022, with grants available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), up to a maximum of €2,400.
The second phase of the MSS commenced on 22nd September 2022, when the SEAI extended the solar PV grant scheme to the non-domestic sector, including schools, businesses, small farms and community enterprises, for installations up to 6kW.The final phase of the MSS involves the introduction of a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed in tariff, which will offer a guaranteed export tariff support for new non-domestic installations between 6kW and 50kW in size. The tariff will be fixed for 15 years and is expected to be available following the completion of a consultation and implementation plan by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is expected to take place later in 2023. While there are currently no plans to increase the Clean Export Premium above the announced rate of €0.135/kWh, a review of the MSS is underway and this will include a review of the potential efficacy and effectiveness of the CEP in the current market. It is important to remember that the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available for all microgenerators. The CEG represents a key aspect of the overall comprehensive enabling framework for micro and small-scale generators in Ireland, which allows them to receive payment directly from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value of the electricity. Moreover, CEG tariff rates are currently higher than the proposed CEP rates, ranging from €13.5c/kWh to €24c/kWh.
