Pa Daly
Ceist:157. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will reform the PSO levy to reduce the cost of energy for households. [56283/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 16 October 2025
Ceisteanna (157)
Freagraí scríofa
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy is a vital policy support for the development of renewable electricity to enable Ireland to reach energy and climate targets. Under the PSO, over 4.6 GW of renewable generation is supported through the REFIT and RESS schemes.
The PSO is set annually by the CRU to recover or return electricity consumers funds associated with renewable supports. It applies to all electricity customers and can be a charge or a credit depending on wholesale prices. For 2025/26 the CRU has set the monthly PSO charge at €2.01 for domestic customers. In contrast, the PSO was negative in 2022/23, resulting in payments to customers, and set to zero for 2023/24. Thus the RESS provides for consumer protection, whereby supported projects are required to credit monies to households and businesses when market prices exceed their RESS support price.
The PSO protects consumers by supporting investments in renewable energy at predictable prices and reducing reliance on importing fossil fuels. The PSO helps shield consumers from international price volatility.
The CRU administers the PSO within legislation and sets the PSO transparently each year in light of market conditions. Concerns of energy affordability for both households and businesses are currently considered best addressed through broader, targeted measures beyond the PSO Levy. That includes the through the establishment and work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce whose goal is to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses.