Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2022
151. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the implementation of the clean-export guarantee tariff to allow payment for electricity returned to the grid; his views on whether energy suppliers have been receptive to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53937/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is the independent energy regulator and was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.
I signed the Regulations that provide for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) on 15 February this year and since then, significant implementation work has been completed by ESB Networks and electricity suppliers, under the oversight of the CRU ,in order to deliver this important benefit to micro-generators.
The CRU also published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the full arrangements for its implementation, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. As part of this, the CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis.
I am aware that while all suppliers have now 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.
The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
