At Eco Horizon, we are seeing a growing level of frustration among our customers due to ongoing delays with grid connection applications managed by ESB Networks.
Over the past 12–18 months, customers installing solar PV systems have increasingly experienced significant waiting times for the processing of NC7 and NC8 applications — the essential approvals required to connect systems to the grid.
Promised Improvements Yet to Materialise
We, along with others in the industry, were advised that improvements would be made to streamline and accelerate these processes. However, from what we are seeing on the ground, these improvements have not yet materialised in any meaningful way.
Instead, delays remain persistent — and in some cases, are worsening.
Real Impact on Customers
These delays are not just administrative — they have real consequences for homeowners, farmers, and businesses who are investing in renewable energy:
- Systems sitting idle after installation
- Delayed access to export payments
- Extended payback periods
- Unnecessary frustration and uncertainty
Customers are making significant investments with the expectation of a smooth transition to renewable energy. When grid approvals stall, it undermines confidence in the entire process.
A Bottleneck in Ireland’s Energy Transition
Ireland’s climate targets rely heavily on the rapid deployment of microgeneration technologies like solar PV. However, the current delays in NC7 and NC8 processing risk becoming a critical bottleneck.
If customers and installers cannot rely on timely grid connections, it slows adoption and creates hesitation in the market.
Our Position
At Eco Horizon, we continue to:
- Submit all applications promptly and correctly
- Follow up consistently on behalf of our customers
- Keep customers informed throughout the process
However, the reality is that these delays are outside of installer control.
A Call for Urgent Action
We believe there is an urgent need for:
- Increased resourcing within ESB Networks
- Greater transparency on application timelines
- Clear service level agreements (SLAs)
- A more streamlined and digital-first process
The demand for solar is not slowing down — and neither should the systems that support it.
Supporting Our Customers
Despite these challenges, our commitment remains the same: to support our customers every step of the way and to advocate for improvements across the industry.
We will continue to raise these issues and work constructively with stakeholders to ensure Ireland’s transition to renewable energy is not held back by administrative delays.
