Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2025
80. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his response to the ESB chief’s warning that emergency measures were needed to increase electricity capacity for new housing (details supplied); if this will impact on the housing plan he released last week; if he has discussed this with the Minister for climate and Minister for housing; if so, to outline the detail of these discussions.. [64267/25]
View answer87. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his response to the ESB chief’s warning that emergency measures were needed to increase electricity capacity for new housing (details supplied); the emergency measures he is taking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64264/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 87 together.
Issues regarding the development and operation of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, who are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions. Both entities are overseen by the independent regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas.
Ireland along with many other European countries is currently experiencing high demand for new electrical connections which has led to capacity constraints on the electricity grid. This high demand is driven by a range of factors including large energy users, electrification of residential heat, transport, and industry, climate and housing targets, as well as population growth. Notwithstanding this, over the last four years, ESB Networks has connected over 147,000 homes and businesses to the distribution network, and housing developments continue to be offered grid connections.
In my role as Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, I engage with both ESB and Eirgrid on a regular basis across a range of issues, including increasing demand arising from the electrification of our economy and society, as well as increased housing demand. Furthermore, I have engaged with the Chairs of ESB and EirGrid to ensure that Eirgrid and ESB continue to facilitate new residential housing connections.. I have received assurances from both Chairs that measures are being put in place to address any potential risk to customers in constrained areas. As Minister, I support these measures and my Department has convened a group to oversee and support them, serving as a contact point for technical, policy and regulatory functions in ESB Networks, EirGrid, the CRU and my Department
This work supplements the range of financial and policy measures that the Government has developed to ensure Ireland's electricity grid continues to provide capacity for housing and other customers, which includes a €3.5 billion equity investment in EirGrid and ESB Networks, and ongoing cooperation to accelerate grid delivery in the Accelerating Renewable Energy Taskforce.
