The process of applying for grid connections in Ireland has changed under the ECP process, allowing policymakers to prioritise certain projects. The first stage, ECP-1 occurred in 2018 and now the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) have published the Enduring Connection Policy Stage 2, or ECP-2 proposed decision. This week we explore the paper’s proposed design of the ECP-2 process compared with ECP-1, based on updated policy objectives and feedback is sought from stakeholders.
Related thinking
Commercial and market outlook
SEM articles of the year: All I want for Christmas is RESS-2
With COVID-19 dominating our everyday lives, we saw similar trends in our most popular articles for the year. Demand shifts were observed in domestic and industrial settings with working patterns shifting from offices to homes all around the country. It was also a landmark year for the renewables industry with...
Low carbon generation
RESS-won: renewables on the march
Yesterday will be remembered as a good day for the Irish renewables industry, with the level of supported renewables capacity set to grow by over a quarter in the next 2-3 years. After years of waiting, the first Renewable Energy Support Scheme auction (RESS-1) results are here (provisionally, pending appeals)....
Energy storage and flexibility
CRU implements COVID-19 supply suspension scheme
On 1 May, the CRU set out the details of its decision to implement a temporary supply suspension scheme for eligible SME electricity and gas customers due to the impact of the pandemic. It said that the unique and extraordinary circumstances of the current situation require a modification to the current approach...
Low carbon generation
RESS-1 application closing date is further extended
With a lot of uncertainty around the impacts of COVID-19 on global supply chains and renewable project delivery we are starting to see the effects in the Irish Energy market, notably the announcement that prequalification for the Renewable Energy Support Scheme in Ireland will be extended. In December 2019, the...
Low carbon generation
Impacts of COVID-19 on the renewable energy support scheme
With a lot of uncertainty around the impacts of Covid-19 on global supply chains and renewable project delivery we are starting to see the effects in the Irish Energy market, notably the announcement that prequalification for the Renewable Energy Support Scheme in Ireland will be extended. The global energy sector...
Low carbon generation
Sail away: Offshore wind vs. RESS
Last week the European Commission proposed a “Climate Law” enshrining in legislation the objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. In this week’s blog, we consider the role of wind in achieving this goal, and Irelands role in the European Green Deal. As we would expect, the green deal identifies...
Low carbon generation
Will the neighbourhood get a windmill?
With the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) auction scheduled to kick off this June, community projects have been given a special preference category as part of the auction design. The question remains, will this be enough to spark a change in how we develop, operate and own assets in the...
Energy storage and flexibility
Wind Of Change: What’s this, more RESS talk!
There’s no shortage of speculation regarding the upcoming Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) auctions, however, we should spare a thought for our friends in Eirgrid who own the challenge of operating this relatively highly dominated renewable energy saturated system. This challenge is getting tougher, with the forecasted additional wind and...
