Microgenerators supply more than 2 MW for ESB
Applications are being processed from a further 18 microgenerators.
ESB Networks agreed in 2009 to provide the necessary import and export metering free of charge to the first 4,000 domestic microgeneration customers, and also provides a support payment of 10 cent per kilowatt hour for those eligible customers for the first 3,000 kW hours exported back to the grid for five years.
“The take-up has been disappointingly low despite an overall tariff rate of 19 cent per kilowatt hour being available. This compares to the wholesale electricity price, which is currently averaging approximately seven cent per kilowatt hour,” said Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Pat Rabbitte, in the Dáil.
Deputy David Stanton told the Dáil that VAT can be reclaimed on diesel generators but not on wind generators.
Meanwhile, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is monitoring the performance of 42 installations in a microgeneration pilot scheme. Cost-benefit analysis in this scheme will be used to design a cost-effective feed-in tariff programme for microgeneration.
Minister Rabbitte said the single electricity market price is about €60 per megawatt hour, and the ESB pays microgenerators 190. “Obviously, this is a barrier from the point of view of the state in the sense that if a subsidy is required, this signals that it is required, it is a significant matter.”
ESB Customer Supply, now rebranded ESB Electric Ireland, is the only electricity supplier in the market offering microgeneration tariffs to domestic customers who generate up to 11 kW.
