As managing director of Caldor and as a member of The Micro Renewable Energy Federation (MREF), I have been following the recent announcements relating to the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS).

The MSS scheme aims to provide a route to market for individuals, businesses and communities to generate their own solar electric energy and receive a fair and efficient price for selling it back to the grid. While we wholly welcome such an initiative, in its current guise, the scheme proposal moves to exclude and/or curb very significant groups.

• Those who have already invested in and generate solar energy
• Those planning to build new, energy efficient homes
• Buildings that have a BER rating lower than C
• The farming community/SMEs

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication Eamon Ryan has invited the public to give feedback on the current proposal design before the 18th February 2021. As individuals, businesses and communities, we need to respond to this invitation swiftly and clearly.

If you feel strongly that these groups should be included in the scheme, I would urge you to submit your opinions. The full publication, MREF’S submitted concerns and response template are all available below.

Warm Regards,