Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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139. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report grid resilience; if he has considered the introduction of community microgrids (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26892/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish electricity grid is resilient but, as seen with Storm Éowyn, the impact of storms and climate change cannot be underestimated.

Notwithstanding that Government does not direct System Operators to particular types of technologies, I met with representatives from the CRU and ESB Networks on the 31 January to discuss the Storm Éowyn response and the impact on customers.

I requested a number of actions be taken, once the initial storm response had completed. These measures include an enhanced Winter 2025 Grid Resilience Plan. This is currently being implemented by ESB Networks to enhance the resilience of the grid in the most vulnerable locations for the upcoming winter and further detail can be found here www.esbnetworks.ie/about-us/newsroom/article/esbn-winter-2025-grid-resilience-plan.

I also requested a full review by ESB Networks and CRU, as part of the PR6 decision-making process, of the planned grid enhancements and in light of the damage caused by Storm Éowyn, with specific additional projects and investments identified to future proof Ireland’s energy grid and to adapt to the challenges of climate change.

PR6 is currently underway and has seen ESB Networks request a baseline investment for 2026-2030 of €10.1 billion, with the potential to grow to €13.4 billion. To deal with the disruptive events of storms and long-term impacts of climate change, as part of PR6, ESB Networks are planning to implement a strategic approach to asset management to ensure that the investments are futureproofed and resilient.

The Deputy also references microgrids in the Question and may be aware that work on developing a private wires policy is ongoing in my Department. This is a technically complicated area with a range of potential options. It is my intention to bring a Private Wires Policy to Cabinet in the coming months and publish same thereafter.