Support for Generator Application Process

The ECP-2.5 application window will open Tuesday, 1^st October 2024 and will close Saturday, 30^th November 2024 at 5pm for all Category A applications (Generation, storage and other system services technology projects (MEC>0.5MW). All applications made during this period will be reviewed commercially and the ECP-2.5 batch will be determined by both System Operators (SOs) based on the prioritisation rules set out in the ECP-2.4 Decision Paper (CRU202326).

Please note that the application fee deposit is required to be received during the application window also. Should you make payment on the last remaining days of the window, please provide evidence that the payment has been made during the application window, as it may take a few days to appear in the ESB Networks DAC bank account.

New Category A (batch) and Category B (non-batch) projects with an MEC >0.5MW must pay an application fee deposit of €7,000 (incl. VAT), along with the generator application form and all supplemental documentation.

An application fee deposit of €2,000 (incl. VAT) is required for new Category C (community-led) project applications.

The full application fee will be required from new applicants with MEC≤0.5MW rather than an application fee deposit. See further details on our application fees here.

Our preference is for Electronic Fund Transfer and the ESB Networks DAC bank account details are available here. Please see detail at this link also if you wish to pay by cheque, bank draft or postal order. The Project Name should be used as reference to ensure swift identification of your payment.

If you know the make / model of the generator unit(s) when making your generator application, you should use the NC5 application form. This means that your technical study is carried out on the specified data provided in the NC5 application form. If you have not yet decided on the make/model of the generator unit(s) you can apply on the shortened application form (NC5A) and the study will be based on assumed data. Please note that the specified generator unit detail is required to be provided 1 year in advance of energisation via the NC5 application form. Any delay in providing the NC5 application form could result in delays to energisation. 

The Applicant details (company name, company number, registered address) are checked on the Companies Registration Office website. 

The Project Name is the name of the generator units at the same connection point. It will be used when identifying the generator for operation purposes. The System Operators (SOs) request that the Project Name must be geographically reflective of the location of the generator and must not match any existing generator name or substation. The Project Name will be published on the SO’s websites. 

The co-ordinates are where the customer’s substation is located. The co-ordinates must be provided in the Irish Grid Co-ordinates format, e.g. E243,566 N050,334 

For extensions, i.e. an increase in MEC at either an existing (connected) generator or planned (contracted) generator, you will need to complete section 3 of the NC5 / NC5A. Please provide the DG reference and Project Name of the original generator. Where is it an existing (connected) generator, please also provide the MPRN (Meter Point Registration Number).

Also, if know at the application stage, please advise if sub-metering is required for the extension. This can be provided in the cover letter accompanying your generator application.

• A 1:50,000 “Discovery Series” Ordnance Survey map, with the location of the facility clearly marked with an “X” and indicating the site boundary. Please note, maps not conforming to this format will not be accepted.
• A plan of the site (in an appropriate scale) of the proposed facility, indicating the site boundary, the proposed location of the connection point, generators, transformers, site buildings etc. 

Confirmation of the Planning Permission for the generator unit(s) is required in order to apply for a generator connection. The Applicant is confirming that Planning Permission for the generator unit(s) is in place and then a planning consultant / solicitor is confirming this. The Planning Permission Confirmation section requires two signatures (the Applicant and the planning consultant / solicitor). Please note that where there are multiple Planning Permissions for the generator units at one connection point, all Planning Permission references and grant / expiry dates need to be provided. For prioritisation in ECP-2, the latest of the Grant Dates will be used.

Please also note that if the MEC is referenced in the Planning Permission, it must match the MEC requested in the generator application (NC5/NC5A). If they do not match, the generator application will not be accepted. 

We require the Applicant to confirm that Landowner consent is in place. A solicitor is required to witness the Applicants confirmation of the Landowner consent. There is no requirement for the Landowner(s) to sign the generator application form.

The application form is required to be signed by Director / Company Secretary or authorised agent of the company provided in section 1: Applicant Details. ESB Networks DAC reserves the right to request the signatory to produce evidence of authority to bind the Applicant by his/her signature.

The ECP-2.5 Batch will be determined based on the prioritisation set out in the ECP-2.4 Decision Paper (CRU202326), section 2.2.2 refers. Category A applications will be prioritised by largest renewable energy generation (first 25), then by planning permission grant date. No more than 10 storage (100% of MEC must be storage) and other system service technology projects. 

No, you can not apply for ECP-2.5 Batch unless you withdraw the ECP-2.4 application. 

No, there will be no backfilling of applicants who are initially successful in the preliminary batch but subsequently withdraw their application from ECP-2.5.

No. The generator application must be submitted in electronic format. Electronic files must be submitted via email (all electronic files should be a cumulative maximum of 5MB or less) to DSOGenerators@esb.ie.

Yes, verified e-signatures and scans of original signed application forms are acceptable. Please note that screenshots of signatures pasted onto the application form are not acceptable. 

Technology Type and increase in MEC cannot be changed in the ECP-2.5 application. Site details including address, maps and grid-coordinates can only be changed in line with ECP-2 Decision, section 4.6. Please see further detail in the ECP-2 System Operator Information Note.

In section 4 of the NC5/NC5A, please include the DG reference for the original deemed complete application. Please note that unsuccessful ECP-2 applications cannot rollover the application fee deposit for a new application in a subsequent batch.