Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
200. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the remedies and penalties in the legislation establishing the clean-export guarantee scheme for non-compliance by energy providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50135/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. Responsibility for the regulation of the Electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. More information is available on the CRU website (CRU.ie) under Clean Export Tariff. 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 and switch suppliers to obtain the best rates for selling and purchasing electricity. I am also aware that the CRU expects all suppliers to put in place measures to make the first payment to customers at the earliest opportunity and had anticipated that some suppliers may have already made the first payment, with others indicating that payment measures will be in place by later in this year. However, it is important to note that regardless of which supplier you have, micro-generators will not lose out while payment systems are put in place as payments to customers will be backdated to when they either became eligible or to 15 February 2022. In this regard, it is important for customers to contact their suppliers. I also understand that the CRU intend to undertake a review of the Interim CEG arrangements after one year.
