On the 15 February, this year I signed the Regulations that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which brings these Articles into force. These Regulations mean the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available for new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they can receive payment from their electricity supplier for all 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 on 1 December 2021 which outlines the arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. A number of suppliers are now advertising their CEG rates, and the CRU advise consumers to check with their supplier in the first instance.The CRU is not setting a date or deadline for the timing of the first payment. Those micro-and small-scale generators who have met the eligibility criteria are now accruing the CEG tariff value for all of their exported electricity and can expect an initial payment or credit from their supplier within a reasonable time after June 2022. The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision on when initial CEG payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. I understand that the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (DHLGH) are currently undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the revisions to the Planning Regulations to support greater installation of Solar Panels and will start a public consultation in the coming weeks with a view to finalisation later this year.
