Ireland Electricity Regulation Act Section 14: Generation Licence Guide

Key Takeaways

• The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) grants or refuses generation licences.
• Licences cover generating electricity and supplying eligible customers with renewable energy.
• Applications must be in writing and may require a fee.
• All licences are subject to modification to comply with enactments.

Understanding Section 14 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999

The "Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, Section 14" establishes the framework for electricity generation and supply licensing in Ireland. This section is part of "PART III Licences and Authorisations" of the Act. It outlines the powers of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) regarding who can generate and supply electricity.

Scope of a Section 14 Licence

A licence under Section 14 permits a person "to generate electricity". The Act also allows for a licence "to supply electricity to eligible customers". This includes electricity "which is produced using renewable, sustainable or alternative forms of energy or electricity purchased, in place of such electricity, in accordance with the trading arrangements". The "Commission may grant to the Board a licence to supply electricity to eligible customers, subject to terms and conditions as may be specified in the licence."

Application Process and Requirements

If you need a licence under Section 14, your application "shall be in writing and be in such form and contain such information as the Commission may request." An application "shall be accompanied by such a fee, if any, as the Commission may determine to be appropriate." The "Commission may grant or may refuse to grant to any person a licence".

Licence Modification

Any licence granted under Section 14 "shall be deemed to contain a condition that it shall be subject to modification for the purposes of compliance with any enactment". This means licences can be updated to reflect new laws or regulations.

Section 15: Transitional Provisions

"Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, Section 15" addresses transitional permits. It states that entities operating before the Act came into effect "shall apply for a licence or an authorisation within 3 months of the coming into operation of this section or such other period as may be agreed by the Commission."

Exemptions and Other Considerations

The CRU typically exempts generators below 1 MW or microgenerators from needing an individual generation licence through class exemption orders. Commercial generators holding a Section 14 licence must adhere to the Grid Code (EirGrid) or Distribution Code (ESB Networks). Section 14 licences are modified periodically by the CRU to incorporate new EU directives and market rules.

For further details on related regulatory aspects, you can consult our guides on Section 16 Authorisation to Construct, Section 34 Grid Connection, and Renewable Energy Support Schemes Guide.