Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
116. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had discussions with the ESB on opening up grid access to more households and businesses with microgeneration capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10859/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had discussions with the ESB on the rollout of three-phase smart metres for wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10860/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra128. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if farms producing wind-powered microgeneration can sell on to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11115/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 123 and 128 together.
In relation to grid access, for safety reasons, all microgeneration systems must be registered with ESB Networks, using the NC6 notification process. This process also includes recording the size of the microgeneration system. To maintain balance and prevent strain on the low voltage distribution grid, ESBN has set limits based on the size of the inverter through which the PV panels transport their generation. These limits require that the peak export from inverters should not exceed 25A (approx. 6kVA) for single-phase connections or 16A/phase (approx. 11kVA) for three-phase connections. While export limits are in place to protect the grid, households can install larger systems through the NC7 mini-generation process or adopt solutions to maximise self-consumption of solar PV generated electricity. Furthermore, the use of smart inverters as part of Solar PV systems, as well as households and businesses flexing their energy demand across the day, will increasingly be a more effective and economic way of supporting the energy grid and reducing costs for consumers.
In respect of the rollout of three-phase smart meters, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has responsibility for the National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP), with ESBN delivering the rollout on the ground. However, I understand that the proposed 3-phase smart meter solution encountered some technical issues which has delayed the planned rollout. ESBN have since identified a solution for this but the rollout of 3-phase smart meters is now expected to begin in 2025.
It is important to note that in the interim, all renewables self-consumers with 3-phase connections remain eligible for deemed export payments under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme. In December 2021, CRU published a Decision on an interim enabling framework for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), enabling payments to micro-generators for excess electricity exported to the grid, which outlines the arrangements for its implementation, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. This decision paper is available on the CRU website, cru.ie.
Under certain conditions outlined in the CEG Decision paper, customers with microgeneration but who are not yet eligible for a smart meter (including 3-phase meters) may still avail of the CEG. Under these conditions a deemed quantity will be calculated by ESBN. Notwithstanding this, smart meters are not required for installing microgeneration systems and the greatest benefit from Solar PV or micro-wind microgeneration systems will always be attained when households, businesses and community organisations maximise the self-consumption of their generated renewable electricity.
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.
