MREF seeks increased supports for renewable energy projects and stream-lined grant and grid application processes in pre-election manifesto

New MREF Chairman and Treasurer take up the reins at the national micro-generation representative and advocacy organisation

The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (www.mref.ie) is seeing increased grant supports for micro-generation projects undertaken by households, farmers and business in its pre-election manifesto which has been circulated to all political parties contesting this Friday’s General Election.

MREF is also seeking greater streamlining of existing grant application and grid connection processes to provide much greater levels of certainty to households and businesses that are committing to renewable energy and to playing their part in Ireland’s switch to a cleaner, and more sustainable energy future.

MREF has also selected a new Chairman, Mr. Ciaran Kells who is Chief Executive and founder of EcoHorizon (https://ecohorizon.ie). Mr. Kells takes over from Pat Smith. MREF has also selected a new Treasurer, Mr. Cathal Murphy, who is Managing Director of Sunfixings Group (https://www.sunfixings.co.uk/).

Commenting, Mr. Ciaran Kells, MREF Chairman, said:

“The adoption of renewable power across Irish society, including domestic installations, farms and businesses, has become much more mainstream. It is making a very real difference to ordinary people in their electricity costs, and to Ireland in meeting its climate action targets and international obligations.”

“However, we need to maintain the momentum that has been created. Government must ensure that the incentives that have been provided remain attractive. Government must also ensure that homeowners and businesses do not become frustrated or abandon projects in the fact of the difficulties of the grant application processes or the growing challenges around getting grid connections that will allow them to export surplus power.”

“Also, the grant schemes we have should not restrict or prevent applicants from designing and installing projects that will meet their energy needs for the future.”

“The proposals we have put to the potential parties of government seek to address these issues.”

In its Pre-election manifesto, the Micro-Renewable Energy Federation is seeking:

• Grant Supports for Domestic Solar PV – Government should increase the domestic solar PV grant to at least €2,500 and extend the period for which grant supports will be available for renewable micro-generation projects to at least 2030. For commercial installations the current grant supports in place need to be maintained to encourage SME’s and businesses to adopt renewable technologies. For farms, the current supports in place though the TAMS scheme needs to be maintained at current rates of support.
• Low Interest Loan Finance for Renewable Energy Projects – The main pillar banks, credit unions and other financial institutions should be mandated to provide sub- 5% loans for renewable energy investments by all stakeholders.
• Supports for Battery Storage- The Government should provide a €250/kWh grant support to encourage businesses and homes to utilise battery storage to assist in optimising the use of surplus energy from solar PV, wind and other renewable energy sources.
• ‘Beat-the-Peak’ Supports – The Government should mandate the CRU and ESB Networks to put in place a dedicated ‘Beat-the-Peak’ support structure for battery systems that allows businesses and farmers invest into battery systems and secure a reasonable return to assist in managing the grid during peak demand times.
• Dynamic Pricing – MREF is calling for an examination of dynamic pricing models to pay for micro-generated renewable power exported to the grid. Such pricing modes already operate in other jurisdictions including the UK and Australia.
• Schools Renewable Energy Grants – the permitted size of renewable power projects that can be grant supported for schools needs to be increased to allow school managements to design and implement projects that best meet their needs.
• One-Stop-Shops – Households wishing to available of government supports for renewable energy projects via SEAI grants are now obliged to use the services of ‘one-stop-shop’ contractors. This policy is excessively restrictive and frequently results in higher costs on customers. MREF is seeking a review of this policy approach and a critical examination of the benefits to customers and overall policy objectives that it is meant to be providing. In the interim, the obligation on customers to only use ‘one stop shops’ should be suspended.
• Planning – MREF is seeking changes to planning requirements around the placement of solar PV panels on roofs, including set-back distances.
• Independent Buy and Sell of Power – Government must ensure that structures are put in place to separate the purchase of electricity from a utility company and the sale of renewable power generated. In the interests of pricing transparency and the proper functioning of the electricity market at a retail level, all stakeholders should have the opportunity to buy from one electricity supply company and sell surplus power generated to a different electricity supplier.
• Supporting Communities to Adopt Renewable Power – To make the fixed payment scheme attractive for communities and all stakeholders, the current SEAI capital grant should be available as well as the guaranteed 13c/kwh payment. In addition, there needs to be a stream-lined grid application process for renewable projects up to 6MW in scale.
• Smart Meters – The Government should mandate that ESB Networks installs a smart meter within a 3-month period for any home, businesses or farm that installs renewable energy if a smart meter is not already installed. In the interim the Government needs to ensure that all micro generators are paid the deemed payment they are entitled to by their utility company.
• Grid Access Applications – Government should ensure that a grid application must be processed and delivered to the applicant by ESB Networks within a 2-month time frame from the date of initial application.
• Smaller Project Grid Application Process – There needs to be a special grid application process put in place for small scale renewable energy applications of up to 6MW.
• Investing in Grid Infrastructure – In addition, investment needs to be made now in grid infrastructure to ensure that everyone who wants to connect to the grid and export surplus generation can do so.  If necessary to achieve this, the amount of grid capacity set aside for micro-generation should be increased.
• Grid Connection Upgrades – If a business or farm is refused the grid connection requested, they should be immediately offered a grid upgrade option with 70% of the costs covered by the network operator.
• Grid Assessments – The cost of the grid assessment should be urgently reviewed especially for applications with a single-phase supply as the amount of grid access they can secure is very limited.
• Single-phase Grid Connections – Applications for a grid connection with a single-phase supply should have to pay no more than €450 including VAT for the assessment to be carried out.