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:

NC5 Generator Connection Application  (PDF | 414 KB)

NC5A Generator Connection Application (PDF | 260 KB)

Please note that planning permission is not a requirement for community-led projects applying to ECP-2. Community-led projects will, however, need planning permission to receive a connection offer.

You must also must include a completed Declaration Form with your application:

ECP-2 Declaration of Community-led Energy Project Form (PDF | 174 KB)

If you applied prior to ECP-2 and were not processed, please see here for information around what details/information can be amended/updated from the original application form.

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).

• 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.
• Pay a Networks' Invoice, 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.
• If your project is accepted into an ECP-2 Batch, the application fee balance will be requested once you have secured planning permission and requested the issuance of the formal connection offer.

Table 1 - ECP-2 Connection Application Fees (ex-VAT@23%)

Demand only: Fee = AMIC + CMIC - D Generation Only: Fee = BMEC + CMEC - D
Demand and Generation: Fee = AMIC + BMEC + MAX [CMEC, 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

Table 2 - Modification Fees (ex-VAT)

This guide has been prepared by ESB Networks to support customers in connecting a community-led renewable energy project to the electricity network.

Community-led Renewable Energy Projects Guide (PDF | 919 KB)