Community-led projects will receive a connection assessment prior to receiving their connection agreement, which will outline the proposed connection method and associated connection costs.

This connection assessment will be valid for two years from date of issuance and will provide you with the opportunity to progress your planning permission application.

If a project does not secure planning permission within two years, the connection assessment will lapse, and the project may need to be re-studied which may result in an alternative connection method and associated costs.

• Batch formation takes place from October - December for each Batch period.
• Successful projects will be assigned a node and may be grouped together with other projects at a node.
• Projects will then be assigned a quarter (e.g. Q1, 2021) for connection assessment issuance.
• Following batch formation, a list of the successful community-led projects will be published on our website.

• In advance of the meeting, you will need to consider if you plan to build your own dedicated connection (known as contestable builds) or request ESB Networks to build the connection to the grid (known as non-contestable.
• You should also consider whether you plan to connect via overhead line or underground cable, as the connection costs will vary depending on the preferred connection type.
• The grid connection will always be based on the Least Cost Technically Acceptable (LCTA) connection method (generally an overhead line connection).

CRU Decision Paper 21/131 Interim Clean Export Guarantee  Download decision paper PDF | 762KB determined that the deemed export formula to be used for the duration of the Interim Microgeneration Scheme is as follows:

Maximum Export Capacity x Capacity Factor x Export Factor

This provides a figure for one 30-minute interval in kW, and can be multiplied by 48 to get a daily total. Since the Capacity and Export factors are subject to change, ESB Networks suggests that the customer refer to CRU guidance as to applicable figures. As at August 2023, Capacity Factor is 0.097, while Export Factor is 0.35.

Where ESB Networks cannot read your meter to record smart export quantities, over a period of 8 days, we will provide deemed export quantities to your supplier in their place.

Your supplier is aware of instances where deemed export quantities are provided in respect of your MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) and the scenarios in which deemed quantities are provided and can explain these to you.

Following submission of an NC6 Form, it is important to notify ESB Networks if your micro-generation technology is not connected for whatever reason so ESB Networks can remove your Maximum Export Capacity (MEC).

Further, in the event your micro-generation technology stops working on a permanent basis, it is important to notify ESB Networks of this so we can remove your Maximum Export Capacity (MEC).

Should you wish to request ESB Networks remove your Maximum Export Capacity (MEC), please contact: NetworksServicesBureau@esb.ie.

Limited Maximum Export Capacity (LMEC) is the term used for the Mini and Small scale generation connections which are available in  those areas of the electricity network which  have a high penetration of exporting generator connections already in place relative to the available electricity network capacity at higher voltage levels in that location. This means that at present there is limited capacity for further connection of generation export.

Yes. For generators above 25-amp single phase (approx. 6kVa), and 16amp/phase three phase (approx. 11kVa).

Further information can be found at Generator connections

Eligibility criteria for payment for export to the grid are determined by CRU.

For more information on the eligibility criteria, please see CRU Decision Paper 21/131Interim Clean Export Guarantee (Download decision paper PDF | 762KB)