Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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165. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the €3.5 billion investment in electricity grid infrastructure announced under the National Development Plan, including the specific projects, regions and timelines to which the funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57889/25]

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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166. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government whether any portion of the €3.5 billion grid investment will be directed towards reinforcement or capacity upgrades that will enable new large-scale energy users, including data centres, to connect to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57890/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.

On 22 July 2025, Government approved a €3.5 billion investment in Ireland’s electricity infrastructure across 2026-2030 as part of the National Development Plan. This represents the largest single investment in the country’s electricity network in its history.

€1.5 billion will be allocated to ESB Networks to support investment in the onshore electricity grid and €2 billion will be allocated to EirGrid to support the financing of its offshore electricity grid investment plan. The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025, which provides for Government to make the €1.5 billion equity investment in ESB, is being urgently progressed. The Bill was published on the 30 October and will pass through the Oireachtas over the coming weeks.

The equity investment will support the ability to finance the unprecedented investment in our electricity system proposed for 2026-2030 as part of the Price Review 6 period. As part of their draft determination, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as the independent regulator, has set out proposed investment of up to €18.1 billion in the electricity system, with a €14.1 billion baseline investment guaranteed. A final determination by the CRU is expected by year end.

My Department will continue to engage closely with ESB and EirGrid to ensure that the equity injection is used effectively to meet commitments under Price Review 6. Enhancing the electricity grid will play a crucial part in delivering on Programme for Government commitments across housing, competitiveness, security of supply and renewable energy.