The eagerly awaited results of the first Enduring Connection Policy (ECP-1) batch application process have finally been released. This is a new system for granting connection offers for storage capacity and new generation that succeeds the previous non-Group Processing Approach (non-GPA) and “Gate” systems. The grid application process has been massively oversubscribed with 35.1GW in the queue. The 2018 batch of projects to be processed under ECP-1 are likely to commence the Irish Government’s stated policy under the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) of diversifying the sources of renewable electricity, given the preponderance of solar.
In this week’s blog, we consider what this outcome entails for the Irish energy market and generation mix.