More Grid: ECP-2.5 Reopens to Applicants

The CRU has unexpectedly reopened the window for grid connection applications, under a new batch known as ECP-2.5.1, which offers a short, final opportunity for projects with recent planning permission to apply under the ECP policy. Our Energy team examines the scope of ECP-2.5.1 and encourages eligible projects to act fast to make their application, before the window closes on 10 April 2025.

What you need to know

• The CRU has approved a time-limited reopening of ECP-2.5 to additional grid applicants under a further “ECP-2.5.1” batch.
• ECP-2.5.1 targets projects that have received grants of planning following the closing of the ECP-2.5 batch window on 30 November 2024.
• The system operators are currently preparing to implement a new grid application process called ECP-GSS. The first ECP-GSS batch closing date will fall on 30 September 2025.
• The purpose of ECP-2.5.1 is to provide additional projects that have already been granted planning permission with an opportunity to apply to be processed under ECP-2.5, instead of waiting for ECP-GSS.
• ECP-2.5.1 is now open for applications and will close at 5pm on Thursday 10 April 2025.

ECP 2.5.1 – A bridge to ECP-GSS

Ireland’s grid connection application process is undergoing a process of reform. A new grid connection process called “Electricity Connection Policy – Generation and System Services”, or ECP-GSS, was announced by the CRU in September 2024. It will replace the previous Enduring Connection Policy Stage 2 (ECP-2). A key innovation of ECP-GSS is to remove the requirement that so-called “RED III” applicants, namely renewable energy projects and co-located storage, have planning permission in place in order to apply for grid connection. Among other things, ECP-GSS aims to streamline the grid and permitting processes for onshore renewable energy projects as required under the RED III Directive.

ECP-2.5, which was announced at the time to be the last batch of projects under ECP-2, closed to new applications on 30 November 2024. The industry had then expected a short delay until the opening of the first ECP-GSS application window, which itself is expected to close on 30 September 2025.

However, the CRU has now effectively reopened ECP-2.5 to new applicants, for a limited time. This is intended to allow suitable projects in defined Categories, as set out below, that have been granted planning permission since ECP-2.5 closure, to apply for connection before the opening of ECP-GSS. ECP-2.5 was undersubscribed by reference to targeted volumes, and there is also an intention to build a “buffer” of accepted projects in case others drop out or are deemed ineligible. It is understood that a pipeline of additional projects exists, that are ready to apply and that could assist in reaching the targets.

Short window to apply

The CRU is aware of the need for the system operators to be able to finalise ECP-2.5 and start processing connection applications as soon as possible. Increasing the project volumes in ECP-2.5 could slow down this process. For this reason, the CRU has set a tight window to apply for ECP-2.5.1, which opened on 20 March 2025 and closes at 5pm on Thursday 10 April 2025.

Initial ECP-2.5 batch projects not affected

The system operators have already published the initial batch results for ECP-2.5. Any new applications under ECP-2.5.1 will be treated separately from projects that applied for ECP-2.5 before the November 2024 deadline. ECP-2.5.1 will have specific prioritisation criteria, so that projects already included in the initial ECP-2.5 batches will not be removed on account of project size or planning permission grant date.

The Categories of project that may avail of ECP-2.5.1 are as follows:

Category A projects

“Category A” projects are generation, storage, and other system services technology projects with a maximum export capacity (MEC) greater than 0.5MW. The Category A batch in ECP-2.5 targeted 70 projects, with 25 of these prioritised by largest renewable energy generation and the remainder by their planning permission grant date. 65 projects were included in the initial Category A batch.

Prioritisation for large renewable energy projects

Available Category A spaces in the ECP-2.5.1 batch will be prioritised for renewable energy generation projects based on project size, with the highest priority given to the projects that claim to be able to generate the highest GWhrs/yr.

Conventional generation

If the project limit in Category A of ECP-2.5.1 is not taken up by renewable projects, the remaining spaces will be open to conventional generation. Highest priority will be given to the earliest planning permission grant date.

Storage

ECP-2.5 targeted a maximum of 10 storage projects with 100% of MEC dedicated to storage, and other system service technology projects as part of Category A. This limit was reached in the initial ECP-2.5 batch. However, the CRU decision flags that one or more of those 10 projects may drop out of ECP-2.5 or become ineligible, in which case this would open up space for storage applicants to ECP-2.5.1. These applicants would then be allocated in priority of the earliest planning permission grant date. Hybrid projects are not subject to this sub-cap.

Category B projects

Category B projects are:

• Small projects (MEC >0.2MW and ≤0.5MW)
• DS3 system services trial projects (MEC≤0.5MW), and
• Autoproducers

ECP-2.5 targeted 15 Category B offers, with the possibility of also reallocating unused spaces from the community category (see Category C below) to Category B. A total of 20 Category B applications were included in the initial ECP-2.5 batch.

Available Category B spaces in ECP-2.5 will be prioritised for Category B applicants by earliest application received complete date. If Category C, reserved for community-owned projects, is undersubscribed, its unused allocation will be re-allocated for use by additional projects from Category B.

Category C projects

Available space for Category C projects, which are 100% community-owned renewable energy projects (MEC≥0.5MW and ≤5MW), will also be allocated to ECP-2.5.1 applicants according to the earliest application received complete date. ECP-2.5 targeted 15 offers to community-led projects. There were 5 Category C applicants to ECP-2.5 included in the initial batch.

Comment

For projects that have recently been granted planning permission, ECP-2.5.1 provides a welcome, unexpected and additional window of opportunity to enter the ECP-2.5 grid connection batch. However, eligible developers will need to act quickly to submit their applications by the deadline of 5pm on Thursday 10 April 2025 if they wish to be considered.

For more information and expert advice, contact a member of our Energy team.

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other advice.