Active Consumers and Energy Communities
The CRU has developed enabling regulatory frameworks to empower active consumers and energy communities to participate in energy markets.
Active consumers and energy communities can play a significant part in Ireland’s transition to green energy and contribute to the climate action target of net zero emissions by 2050.
An Active Consumer is an individual who:
- generates renewable energy for their own consumption, or
- sells or stores excess generated electricity, or
- participates in energy efficiency schemes, or
- provides flexibility services,
provided these activities are not their primary profession.
An Energy Community is a group of active consumers, who voluntarily commit to providing environmental, social, or economic welfare by engaging in:
- renewable energy generation,
- energy sharing or trading,
- storage, or
- supply,
provided these activities are not for commercial purposes and do not constitute the primary profession of the members of the community.
The CRU has implemented a framework to ensure that active customers are paid for the electricity that they export. Regulations introduced in late 2021 require that customers are paid for all generated electricity that exceeds their own use and is “exported” to the grid. For more information see Microgeneration | CRU.ie.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers advice and financial support to energy communities. They also provide mentoring support for communities. For more information, please see SEAI’s Community Enabling Framework.
The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Communication (DECC) offer supports to active consumers and energy communities engaged in microgeneration.