Households and businesses are “losing out,” according to Independent TD Carol Nolan, as the government’s micro-generation scheme is still not up and running.
Micro-generation is a general term referring to private businesses and households generating their own power from renewables such as solar panels, windmills, hydroelectric power, and so on.
The government’s energy policy includes a commitment that “A payment…is available to all renewable generators that export to the grid, regardless of what energy provider they have a supply contract with.”
It was on this basis that many individuals and farming businesses invested in renewable systems such as solar panels. However, according to Carol Nolan TD, they have not yet been paid for the exported energy.
“I have been informed by some constituents that even though they are exporting a significant amount of energy – about 35-50kw per day – the grid is just taking that energy without any return on the families’ investments or contribution towards the increasing cost of living,” she said.
According to Nolan, energy suppliers say the micro-generation system is still not in place.
“There is a deep sense of frustration out there among families who have significant amounts of excess energy that is basically going to waste,” she said.
“It is even more frustrating as this is happening at a time when energy prices are reaching completely unsustainable levels.”
Nolan stated that there is no indication of when the scheme may get up and running, nor has Energy Minister Eamon Ryan provided an explanation as to the delay.