Incentives for Micro-generation of Electricity

The Irish Government has announced measures to encourage the on-site generation of electricity in homes and farms across Ireland.

Among the measures is a guaranteed price of 19 cent per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. This competitive feed-in tariff will apply to the first 4,000 micro-generation installations countrywide over the next three years. Eligible installations include - small scale wind, photovoltaic, hydro and combined heat and power (CHP).

Traditionally, the electricity network was designed to accommodate the flow of electricity from large centralised plants to customers dispersed throughout the country. Micro-generation at local level now introduces two-way flows to the electricity system. Local generators will have the ability to be paid by the Electricity Supply Bord (ESB) for electricity that is surplus to their own requirements and export it back to the national grid.

The export price will be available for up to 4000 micro generation units for a period of three years. ESB Customer Supply and ESB Networks will contribute 9 cent and 10 cent, respectively, towards this tariff. Domestic electricity users registered with ESB will receive a full tariff of 19c/kWh within limits as set out above. Non-ESB customers will receive a 10c/kWh tariff for any excess electricity sold back to the grid.

The new support price is being introduced along with a number of other measures in the Government’s micro-generation programme including -

Connection
An 'Inform and Fit' connection policy to be introduced by ESB Networks to reduce the length of time and complexity of the connection process. Sustainable Energy Ireland also has clear information explaining the connection process.

Grant assistance for R & D
This pilot study includes grant assistance of 40% of the cost of 50 trial units (of up to 50kW) countrywide. Applications are being accepted by Sustainable Energy Ireland. (SEI)

Planning exemptions
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) has made small scale generation from low-carbon sources exempt from planning permission. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will continue to work with the DHELG on planning issues surrounding renewable energy installations.

For further information -Customers interested in installing microgeneration technologies and with technical queries should contact ESB Networks at 1850 372 757.

Those interested in the small and micro-scale pilot field trials, contact
Sustainable Energy Ireland
Tel: +353 1 836 9080
Email: microgen@sei.ie
Web: www.sei.ie/grants/microgenpilot

Customer Connection guide details for micro generation are available
Click Here - and - Click Here

For a full guide to connecting renewable and CHP electricity generators of all sizes to the network - Click Here