Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
143. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timescale for the introduction of the new micro-generation support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52479/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to expanding and incentivising micro-generation to help people generate renewable electricity for their own use and sell excess electricity back to the grid. A 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 which reflects the market value of that electricity.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlines the details for the introduction of the CEG payment, including eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction. I understand that the CRU consultation will last four weeks, with a decision expected to be published in November and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards.
Further to a public consultation held earlier this year, my Department is developing a final scheme design for the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) that incorporates the feedback from the consultation and subsequent additional analysis. A proposal on the supports to be offered under the MSS, which may include grants or premium tariff payments for new installations, will be submitted to Government later this year. It is intended that a final scheme design will be published in Q1 2022.
Supports under the MSS will be introduced on a phased basis, taking account of the need to develop appropriate support mechanisms for relevant cohorts of micro-generators. Timelines for the steps necessary for the phased delivery of the MSS will be outlined in the 2021 Climate Action Plan, which will be published shortly.
