FAQ's

An authorisation may be determined by the criteria set out in SI 309 of 1999. This Order was made by the then Minister for Public Enterprise, in exercise of the powers by section 18(1) of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 (No. 23 of 1999). This order may be viewed by clicking here (OD: insert link).

The CER are currently involved in a number of research initiatives. Full details are available on the Research and Development page.

The CER’s functions and duties in relation to renewables are outlined in the Overview page. They are listed in more detail in Section 9 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (OD: insert link).

Generation of electricity on a domestic level is referred to as micro generation. Further details are available on the Micro Generation page.

In order to be categorised as green, a supplier must conform to balancing rules. These rules are set out in the CER decision paper CER 06/086 Revised Balancing Rules for Licensed Green and CHP Suppliers under the Trading and Settlement Code Disclosure of Information to Final Customers by Suppliers (OD: link to document CER 06/117 which will be in the Decision Documents Section (Internal link).). More information can be found in the Wholesale Trading page of the renewables section.

Anyone wishing to construct a new renewable generating station or reconstruct an existing generating station must obtain an Authorisation to Construct or Reconstruct a generating station from the CER. The relevant application forms are available in the Generation section of the CER website.

There is a support scheme launched in 2006 called Renewable energy Feed In Tariffs (ReFIT), where the MW output of a renewable generator is subsidised. The price support cap for each renewable technology is as follows;

Large Scale Wind category- €57 megawatt hour (MWh).
Small Scale Wind category – €59 MWh.
Hydro – €72 MWh.
Biomass Landfill Gas €70 MWh.
Other Biomass – €72 MWh.

Further information on ReFIT is available from the Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resource website.

The process for connecting to the electricity network is set out in the Connecting to the network page.

Yes. An application for a Licence to Supply Electricity must be made to the CER. The relevant application forms are available in the Retail and Consumer Affairs section of the CER website.

Anyone wishing to generate electricity must apply for a Licence to Generate Electricity from the CER. The relevant application forms are available in the Generation section of the CER website.

The CER’s functions and duties in relation to renewables are outlined in the Overview page. They are listed in more detail in Section 9 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.