Enduring Connection Policy (ECP)

Obtain a 1:50,000 'Discovery Series' Ordnance Survey map with both the location of your new generator and the site boundary clearly marked with a red pen.

You will also need a detailed site plan, in the appropriate scale, of the proposed facility, indicating the site boundary, the proposed location of the connection point, generators, transformers, site buildings etc.

A draft electrical single line diagram of the proposed facility detailing all significant items of plant and their values including Relevant Voltage Levels, Interlocking, Earthing and Synchronising Arrangements, Relay Types, CT/VT ratios, Generator Transformer(s), Power Factor Correction, Location of Alternative Connections (e.g. house load) and Network Connecting Transformer(s) (if applicable).

To apply, please complete the appropriate generator application form:

New Generator Connection Application (NC5) (PDF | 1.2 MB)
New Generator Connection Application (NC5A) (PDF | 0.24 MB)

Community-led Projects

Community-led applicants must include a completed declaration form with their application:

ECP-2 Declaration of Community Led Energy Project Form (PDF | 0.21 KB)

The application form (NC5 / NC5A) must be submitted in electronic format. Electronic files must be submitted or via email to DSOGenerators@esb.ie (all electronic files should be a cumulative maximum of 5MB or less).

Payment Amounts

Customers applying to connect an embedded generator are required to pay an application fee for processing the application. The fee amount depends on the proposed Maximum Export Capacity (MEC) or the proposed increase in MEC (where there is an existing connection agreement in place).

Points to Note:

• 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.
• Your application will not be deemed complete until the minimum required payment is received and incomplete applications will not begin to be processed until payment has been received.
• Go to Make a payment for payment method information. Should you wish to pay by EFT please include the project name as a reference. Your application should advise the reference of the EFT payment for receipting purposes.
• Once an application has been accepted into an ECP-2.5.1batch and all clarifications have been completed, the balance of the application fee will be invoiced, see the appropriate fees listed below.

Table 1 - Connection Offer Application Fees (excluding VAT) - 2025

Demand only: Fee = AMIC + CMIC - D
Generation Only: Fee = BIGC + CIGC - D
Demand and Generation: Fee = AMIC + BIGC + MAX [CIGC , CMIC] - D
Where D is the sum of the credits for the pre-feasibility and advanced works studies still relevant.     
Determination of D will be calculated by the relevant System Operator

*Micro-Generation is designed to operate in parallel with the electricity network and is a source of electrical energy rated up to and including 25 amperes (≈6kVA) at low voltage [230 volts], when the connection is single phase, or 16 amperes(≈11kVA) at low voltage [230/400 volt], when the connection is three-phase.

**Mini-Generation is designed to operate in parallel with the electricity network and is a source of inverter connected electrical energy, and all associated electrical equipment, where the Installed Generator Capacity is less than or equal to the MIC, and is in the range of 25 amperes (6kVA) to 72 amperes (17kVA), when the connection is single-phase or 16 amperes (11kVA) to 72 amperes (50kVA), when the connection is three-phase.

***Small Scale Generation is designed to operate in parallel with the electricity network and is defined as a source of connected electrical energy, and all associated electrical equipment, where the Installed Generator Capacity is less than or equal to the MIC, in is the following ranges: Inverter-connected Installed Capacity greater than 72amps (≈50kVA) at three phase and up to 200kVA, or, Synchronous Installed Capacity greater than 6kVA and up to 200kVA.

Table 2 - Modification Fees (ex-VAT @ 23%)