Connect a Community-led Renewable Energy Project
On 01 July 2021, the CRU has published a Clarification Note (CRU/21/069) to change the definition of a Community-Led Renewable Energy Project Direction contained in the Enduring Connection Policy Stage 2 Decision Paper (ECP-2) (CRU/20/060). Community Led Energy Projects must be 100% community owned in order to be processed under Category C in ECP2.2 and subsequent ECP batches.
- Projects with a Maximum Export Capacity (MEC) greater than or equal to 0.5 MW and less than or equal to 5 MW
- Projects meeting the following requirements:
- At all relevant times, be at least 100% owned by a Renewable Energy Community (the “Relevant REC”) either by way of direct ownership of the ECP project’s assets or direct ownership of the shares in the generator; and
- At all relevant times, at least 100% of all expected profits, dividends, and surpluses derived from the project are returned to the Relevant REC.
In to Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auctions, it announced in February 2021 by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications that there will be a new requirement for community-led projects to be 100% community-owned in order to apply for future RESS auctions.
Note: for connections made after September 2018 some Distribution Code conditions may change, arising from the need to be aligned with European Network Codes.
Generator Types:
- Wind turbines (wind)
- Solar photovoltaic panels (solar)
- Hydraulic turbines (hydro) excluding pumped storage
- Waste to energy projects
- Biomass projects and biogas projects
Note: Renewable energy generation technologies may not be used in combination with non-renewable generation technologies.
Step by step guide
Useful Information
Useful Publications
2022 Batch (ECP-2.3) Results - Category B & C
Community-led Renewable Energy Projects Guide
ECP-2 Declaration of Community Led Energy Project Form
Ruleset for Enduring Connection Policy Stage 2 (ECP-2)
2022 Batch (ECP-2.3) Results - Category B & C
Community-led Renewable Energy Projects Guide
Community-led Renewable Energy Projects Guide
ECP-2 Declaration of Community Led Energy Project Form
ECP-2 Declaration of Community Led Energy Project Form
Ruleset for Enduring Connection Policy Stage 2 (ECP-2)
More information
Useful Links
Some Distribution Code conditions may change, arising from the need to be aligned with European Network Codes
