Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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199. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the electricity grid; the relevant legislation that dictates the process for connections; if there is one stream only; if not, if there are separate streams in the queue for connection; his views on allocating connections on a first come first served basis; his views on whether any particular connections should be prioritised based on the type of project the connection is for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42010/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to I as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.

The management of, and matters related to connections, to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks and EirGrid, under rules determined by the CRU. The pathway to connection to the electricity grid is dependent on the nature and scale of the project seeking connection and whether it is a demand or generation customer. For instance, onshore generators and storage technologies apply to the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, to connect to the electricity grid through the new Electricity Connections Policy – Generation & System Services (ECP GSS). This policy, which replaces the Enduring Connection Policy, provides bi-annual batch processing for the first time supports and ensures that Article 16 of RED III is implemented to align relevant grid-permitting timelines with the requirements specified in the Directive. The ECP GSS policy also facilitates the connection of mini-generation, small-scale generation, and renewable energy communities.

The management of, and matters related to, domestic connections to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks, under rules determined by the CRU. ESB Networks are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their functions. Connection applications are dealt with on sequential first come first served basis. However, with growing demand across all sectors and long lead times for infrastructure, ESB Networks are advising developers to provide as much notice of their requirements as possible, and to have a connection agreement with ESB Networks in place prior to starting a new development.

Details of the various other connection polices, including policies for the connection of data centres, interconnectors and offshore renewable electricity connections are set out on the CRU website. Information on the pathway to apply for a domestic connection is set out on the ESB Networks website. ESB Networks and CRU have respective contact email address for Deputies should they wish to seek clarification on the issues set out above (oireachtas@esb.ie, ).

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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200. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the electricity grid; the relevant legislation that dictates the process for connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42011/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not I as Minister.

The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The management of, and matters related to connections, to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks and EirGrid, under rules determined by the CRU. The pathway to connection to the electricity grid is dependent on the nature and scale of the project seeking connection and whether it is a demand or generation customer. For instance, onshore generators and storage technologies apply to the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, to connect to the electricity grid through the new Electricity Connections Policy – Generation & System Services (ECP GSS). This policy, which replaces the Enduring Connection Policy, provides bi-annual batch processing for the first time supports and ensures that Article 16 of RED III is implemented to align relevant grid-permitting timelines with the requirements specified in the Directive. The ECP GSS policy also facilitates the connection of mini-generation, small-scale generation, and renewable energy communities.

Details of the various other connection polices, including policies for the connection of data centres, interconnectors and offshore renewable electricity connections are set out on the CRU website. Information on the pathway to apply for a domestic connection is set out on the ESB Networks website. ESB Networks and CRU have respective contact email address for Deputies should they wish to seek clarification on the issues set out above (oireachtas@esb.ie, oireachtas@cru.ie).