Householders and businesses that install wind turbines will be allowed to sell the surplus electricity generated back to electricity companies.

Eamon Ryan, Green Party member and environment minister, unveiled the plans yesterday (February 26th) in Kildare.

The proposals form part of the government’s home generation scheme and will apply to the first 4,000 micro-generation installations over the next three years.

In a statement Mr Ryan said: “We are changing the rules and changing the nature of electricity generation in Ireland.

“Before, you received your power from a central source and paid for it. Now you can generate for yourself and be paid for the excess you don’t use.”

Local generators will be paid by the Electricity Supplies Board for energy that is surplus to requirements.

Hydro, solar, heat and wind power installations will all be eligible for the scheme.

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