Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:162. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost for a renewable energy community to connect to the electricity grid. [55024/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 December 2023
Ceisteanna (162)
Freagraí scríofa
Responsibility for the arrangements for and cost of connecting to the electricity network, including for community energy projects, is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The management of connections to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks and EirGrid, under rules determined by the CRU.
Grid connection costs are a major challenge for communities developing renewable energy projects. The regulatory framework grid connections for renewable community energy projects needs to be reviewed in order to develop a strong pipeline of community energy projects that is consistent with the Climate Action Plan target of 500 MW of community energy projects by 2030 and the supports to be provided for under the forthcoming Small Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme.
In May, the CRU launched a call for evidence on a new electricity generation connection policy with one of the aims being how to better facilitate mini generation, small-scale generation, and renewable energy communities. It is critical that the revised regulatory policy facilitates a sustainable and vibrant community renewable energy sector.
A ‘Community enabling grant’ of €180,000 is also available through SEAI for the purposes of supporting community owned renewable generation. These grants were designed to support community projects reach financial close, meet all the RESS milestones, and are available for community projects to use towards grid connections costs.
SEAI has also recently undertaken five grid studies on a county basis to support communities in identifying sites within their locality that are most likely to have an economically viable grid connection.