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
Low carbon generation
Head to Head: CfD vs RESS
2022 has been busy for renewable developers in Great Britain and Ireland, with both the fourth allocation round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the second round of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) concluding this summer. We compared the latest results of the CfD and RESS schemes...
Low carbon generation
PSO Levy 2022/23: RESS to the Rescue
This week we look at how renewable generation is putting money back in consumers’ pockets - a trend which, based on the power price forecast from our All-Island Forward Curve report, is expected to continue until 2027. Last week the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published their final decision...
Low carbon generation
RESS 2 – Five key insights
Higher costs drive up auction clearing price It’s been a tumultuous couple of years since RESS 1. As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine continues, stresses and strains are being felt across many sectors of the economy, and infrastructure is no exception. Pent up...
Low carbon generation
RESS 2 by numbers
Last Friday, RESS 2 auction results were published, with nearly 2GW of new renewables projects successful in getting awarded a contract. We have put together an infographic that explains the auction outcome and what these projects will bring to our electricity system. We have also released a report with Wind...
Low carbon generation
RESS for LESS
We have also released a report with Wind Energy Ireland which is free to download. View the report here
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...
