Agencies and Bodies

The key statutory bodies that have legal responsibility for determining whether to grant permission for the development of new CHP facilities are:

1. The Local Planning Authority - when planning permission is required.
2. An Bord Pleanála - in instances where an appeal of the local planning authority's decision is sought; and
3. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) - where an IPPC Licence or Emissions Trading Licence is required.
4. Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) - who issue the authorisations and licences required to construct a generating station, generate electricity and supply electricity, and also issue gas supply / shipping licences.
5. Distribution System Operator (DSO) - currently ESB Networks, who issues the Electricity Connection Agreement to provide access to the distribution system; and
6. Transmission System Operator (TSO) - currently ESB National Grid (although the function is expected to be vested in EirGrid in the future) who issues the Electricity Connection Agreement to provide access to the transmission system.