Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to address the anticipated surge in electricity demand, as outlined in EirGrid’s most recent assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18018/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The All-Island Resource Adequacy Assessment (AIRAA) is an electricity system security study that assesses the balance between electricity generation capacity and electricity demand over the next ten years. The recently published AIRAA 2025-34 shows an improved picture for Ireland's generation adequacy on last years study. This improvement is due to new generation capacity additions, an improved accounting of existing generation (including from renewables) and interconnection capacities. It is also due to risk mitigations, delivered by Government and State agencies, such as the delivery of Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG).

In their publication, EirGrid's median demand scenario forecasts demand to grow by 45% over the next 10 years, primarily driven by Data Centres and New Technology Loads in the short term with electrification of heat and transport becoming a more significant factor towards the end of the decade. This demand will be met by delivering more capacity to generate electricity, both renewable and conventional, and by managing demand to better match times of surplus – what’s called ‘flexible demand’. Delivery of key infrastructure, including grid reinforcements and interconnection will also be important in securing the electricity system.

The growth from large energy users and new tech loads is anticipated growth, as it is exclusively from data centres that were already contracted to connect to the electricity system, prior to the CRU's direction to system operators in November 2021, on how to process data centre grid connections. The Programme for Government seeks to address the grid connection challenge by committing to scale up investment in critical infrastructure and in our electricity grid. It also addresses concerns regarding the sustainability of data centres by committing to allow data centres that contribute both to economic growth and efficient grid usage, by enhancing the use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and energy effective solutions.

As set out in the 2021 'Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply', the development of new conventional gas fired generation is a national priority and should be permitted and supported. This will ensure security of electricity supply and support the growth of renewable electricity generation. Dispatchable generation, such as gas fired generation, is necessary to meet electricity demand at times of low renewable output. However, as more renewables are delivered and energised over the coming years, dispatchable generation will be required to run less frequently over the course of a year.