The Hybrids Consultation is now open, but will it allow us to get the best of both worlds?
- Dr. Eva Barrett
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Drs. Eva Barrett and Maria Hallinan
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities’ (CRU) second, catchily-named Hybrids Consultation is closing today (14 April). A successful outcome will allow onshore technologies (i.e. generation technologies and/or storage) to co-locate behind a single connection point. In this policy blog, we set out what you need to know about Hybrids and answer two key questions. First, why should everyone want to support Hybrids and get the best of both worlds? Second, what do you need to know about this consultation and what comes next?
Why Should Everyone Want to Support Hybrids and Get the best of both worlds
In engineering and renewable financing circles, Hybrids are considered a “no brainer”. But, for those of us who fall outside those circles, or anyone still in doubt, Solar Power Europe recently published an in-depth report highlighting their many benefits.[1] For Ireland, the following are key.
Hybrids lead to cost reductions which can be passed on to consumers.
Hybrids can increase the reliability and stability of our power supply. This is particularly welcome news in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn.
Hybrids can optimise efficient use of the grid in countries where infrastructure is scarce. They can allow you to store surplus solar energy for use during peak demand periods, or to complement daytime solar with nighttime wind generation. This extends availability of renewable electricity and reduces dependency on fossil-fuel-based backup power. In fact, Energy Storage Ireland currently estimate that there are 5.2 GW of operational wind and solar that could incorporate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and extend the availability of renewable electricity.[2]
Put together, these factors make hybrids a solution which was almost tailor-made for Ireland.
Admittedly, you can already develop a limited form of Hybrid project (i.e. solar + wind / solar + batteries) here. However, the technologies must be operated entirely independently of each other. This results in multiple inefficiencies and increased administration and costs. In a step towards simplifying this process, the CRU have asked for responses to their “Sharing of Maximum Export Capacity (MEC) Behind a Single Connection Point” Consultation (the “Hybrids II” Consultation) by close of business today (14 April). The hope is that this will be the first of a few quick-steps taken to allowing the type of Hybrids championed by Solar Power Europe (i.e. hybrid units, or hybrids which go a step further and facilitate energy sharing between units behind the connection point).
What you need to know about this consultation and what comes next
As you might expect, the Hybrids II Consultation is not the first CRU Hybrids Consultation. The first led to a decision (which ISEA advocated for) to remove the Installed Capacity Cap for Hybrid Co-located Sites. This has meant that from 17 June 2024, generators have been permitted to install generation capacity up to the Maximum Export Capacity (MEC) set in their connection agreement, in addition to an extra 20% over the MEC.
The 18 questions posed in the Hybrids II Consultation investigate the details of the CRU’s MEC Sharing Proposal. This would allow the technologies behind the connection point to operate independently for the purpose of scheduling, dispatch, market participation and system services. Each technology, for example, wind and solar, would then be sub-metered and summed at the connection point.
The key points for consideration are set out below.
Co-Located versus Integrated Hybrid Projects: The consultation deals with the sharing of MEC behind a single connection point for co-located, and not integrated, Hybrid projects. Both co-located and integrated projects have more than one technology operating behind a single connection point. However, co-located technologies operate independently of each other, where assets in an integrated project operate jointly in the market. The CRU is seeking feedback on the definitions of ‘co-located’ and ‘integrated’, as well as input on when integrated projects should be facilitated.
Policy and Process Impacts: Feedback is being sought on the possible impacts that MEC Sharing will likely have on policy and process changes in areas such as network planning, connections agreements, system operations and system services.
Potential Pilot: The CRU are requesting feedback on whether a pilot project should be carried out on the sharing of MEC prior to full implementation.
What is not covered?
This consultation is almost as interesting for what isn’t discussed as for what it. The use of Multiple Legal Entities (MLEs) behind a single connection point is outside scope. Same, for Hybrid electricity interconnection projects and offshore projects.
What happens next?
The ISEA policy team have submitted our response to the consultation, but next steps are unknown. The Hybrids II Consultation paper states that an Implementation Roadmap will be published with the final decision to provide “a more comprehensive set of required actions and timelines; and clarify which organisation will be responsible for delivery.” This isn’t the first time this promise has been made.
The 2024 Climate Action Plan committed CRU to publishing an implementation plan by the end of last year (EL/24/11).
The 2023 Climate Action Plan committed CRU to removing all remaining barriers to hybrids by the final quarter of 2023. (EL/23/14).
Earlier still, the 2021 Climate Action Plan set a series of hybrid actions “to be completed” by Q1 2023 (Action 125).
Instead of simply pushing for more ambitious Hybrids deadlines, which limited resources and competing priorities make impossible to meet, let’s collectively view this consultation as a fresh opportunity. Access to grid is an ever-increasing problem. Hybrid units provide an attractive solution. Let’s:
Set real deadlines this time around.
Give the CRU the resources and support they need to make Hybrids a reality.
Use what we already have more efficiently to reduce costs and increase renewables and security of supply.
With a proper plan, we really could get the best of both worlds.
[1] Solar Power Europe “Embracing the benefits of hybrid PV systems” (March 2025).
[2] Figure taken from presentation by Cornwall Insights on 8 April. Final figures to be confirmed upon the launch of ESI and Cornwall Insight’s forthcoming Report on the Benefits of Hybrids.
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