Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic. I will outline the ongoing initiatives for developing capacity in the electricity grid and relay the advice received from ESB Networks on the matter received. The Government does not have a role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is in line with the 2012 Government policy statement on the strategic importance of transmission and other energy infrastructure, which states: "The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies." The Government, however, can assist and is assisting to ensure the right environment exists to enable the delivery of this critical piece of infrastructure.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, an independent regulator accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas, has responsibility for the economic regulation of the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks. System operators are tasked with building, safely operating and maintaining a fit-for-purpose electricity system. Our electricity grid is made up of two interlinked networks, namely, the transmission network operated by EirGrid, which allows us to transport electricity around the country, and the distribution network operated by ESB Networks, which brings power to communities, businesses and homes.

In December, the CRU published its final determination on price review 6, PR6, setting out the investment that will take place in our electricity system over the coming five years. PR6 represents the largest ever investment in our electricity grid and will see up to €18.9 billion invested by EirGrid and ESB Networks between 2026 and 2030, with a baseline of €13.8 billion guaranteed. PR6 will enable the delivery of major upgrades and developments to the electricity network across the country, facilitating housing growth and heat and transport electrification, all while enabling and driving industrial and economic growth in Ireland.

The Government is committed to delivering electricity infrastructure. That is why we are investing €3.5 billion in equity in EirGrid and ESB Networks. The equity injection will support the ability to finance the unprecedented investment in our electricity system under PR6, with €1.5 billion transferred to ESB Networks last December to support the financing of our onshore electricity infrastructure. The remaining €2 billion will transfer to EirGrid over the next five years to support its investment in offshore transmission infrastructure.

Now that the investment plans for the next five years have been published and funding for the grid secured, it is critical that, as a country, we deliver the infrastructure. That is why the Government has established numerous task forces to accelerate electricity generation and grid infrastructure. In 2024, under the accelerating renewable electricity task force, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment established a future grid working group. The working group brings together key delivery staff from across the Department, the CRU, EirGrid and ESB Networks. It is tasked with accelerating delivery of the grid, identifying issues that are impeding grid delivery and potential solutions to same, along with identifying priority grid projects. The work of the future grid group has fed into and is supported by the work of the accelerating infrastructure task force under the Department of public expenditure, infrastructure and reform. In December, the Government published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan to help deliver efficient delivery of infrastructure across Ireland. The action plan contains 30 time-bound measures to address 12 barriers to infrastructure development previously identified by the work of the task force. The national electricity grid must deliver connections locally and provide a quality electricity supply for new and existing customers.

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