Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to provide an update on the Enhanced Winter 2025 Grid Resilience Plan being developed by the ESB; when it is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39546/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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On 24 January Ireland experienced an unprecedented storm. Storm Éowyn caused widespread power outages and in parts left the electricity grid destroyed due to broken poles, lines and wires. At the peak, 768,000 customers were without electricity supply. This is double the amount of electricity outages experienced during any previous storm.

Following Storm Éowyn, I asked ESB Networks to prepare as a priority a Winter 2025 Resilience Plan to enhance the resilience of the grid in the most vulnerable locations for the upcoming winter. It was published by ESB Networks on 8 April and targets implementation before the end of October.

The plan, which is attached, sets out the following actions to build resilience in the electricity network ahead of Winter 2025:

1. Surveying the electricity network following the storm, making hazards safe and identifying remedial works needed to refurbish network weakened by the recent storms. My Department is assisting consultation between ESB-N and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to streamline planning compliance associated with maintenance of electrical infrastructure in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas while remaining compliant with European and domestic legislation governing this area.
2. ESB-N will continue to work with Coillte and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to identify segments of the network at highest risk of further windfall. Analysis of customers most affected by windfall has identified priority areas for remediation. Overhead line equipment is being refurbished in areas most damaged by the storm and hedgerow timber is being cut.
3. Emergency stocks of spare parts and materials are to be replenished and doubled in size by October 2025.
4. Staffing levels and available contractor resources are to be increased through provision of targeted training programmes via the Education and Training Boards. In conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, my Department has progressed the issue of permits for skilled workers from outside the EU to advance urgent forestry work. Innovation projects planned for 2025 and 2026, such as assessing the viability and benefits of trussing of wood poles and increasing pole height, have been identified for acceleration before Winter 2025.
5. Given the support received from other utilities across Europe in assisting with Storm Éowyn restoration, ESB-N is working to strengthen relationships with European colleagues through the development and signing of mutual storm support Memoranda of Understanding before October 2025.
6. ESB-N has commenced the process of a formal Storm Review which may identify additional recommendations to be implemented in advance of future storms.