How to sign up for the Microgen Export Plan

Eligible customers can sign up through their online account, or by contacting us. 

Get paid for the electricity you export

With the Microgen Export Plan, Bord Gáis Energy pays customers (both business and residential) 18.5 cent per kWh (excl. VAT) for any excess electricity that you generate and send to the national grid (for example, if you have solar panels).
This rate is subject to change, and applies to both metered and deemed export.

You can sign up for the Microgen Export Plan when you:

  1. Have your electricity supply with Bord Gáis Energy
    If you're not already a customer, see our available plans.

  2. Export electricity to the grid
    You must have submitted an NC6 form (or equivalent) to ESB Networks to connect your microgenerator.
    If you’re unsure, you can contact ESB Networks to confirm.

  3. Have a smart meter, if you're eligible for one
    If you’re eligible for a smart meter, ESB Networks will need to install one so that your export volume can be accurately measured.
    If you’re not eligible for a smart meter, your export amount will be calculated using your Deemed Export Quantity, which is set by ESB Networks.

  4. Agree to the plan’s terms and conditions
    You must agree to the Microgen Export Plan Terms and Conditions to receive payment for your exported electricity.
    A copy will be provided when you sign up.

Deemed vs metered customers

  • Metered customers have their export volume measured automatically through their smart meter.
  • Deemed customers are those who cannot have a smart meter installed. Their export amount is calculated (deemed) using a standard formula set by ESB Networks.

To sign up for a Microgen export plan, follow the steps:

  1. Sign in to your online account. If you don't have an account, register here.
  2. If you're eligible, you'll see a banner that says 'You can sell your surplus energy'.
    sample image of online account dashboard with banner to sign up for selling your surplus energy    

3. Click on this and follow the steps to sign up. 
sample image of sign up page for microgen export plan

Please note:

  • If you've a 3-phase meter and haven't yet had a smart meter installed, please contact us to sign up.
  • If you have a 3-phase smart meter, you can sign up online, as per the steps above. ESBN started to roll out smart meters to 3-phase customers from August 2025.
  • We'll pay you at least four times a year, as a credit to your electricity bill. 
  • Payments are exclusive of VAT. We'll issue you an invoice so that we can account for the VAT on the energy we’re buying from you. You don’t need to do anything to receive your payment and won’t be charged VAT.

For more information on microgeneration and our rates, please visit our microgeneration page.