Pa Daly
Question:50. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps being taken to make our critical energy infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather events. [72704/25]
View answerWednesday, 17 December 2025
Questions (50)
Written answers
In February 2025 I asked ESB Networks (ESB-N) to prepare a Winter Resilience Plan to enhance the grid in the most vulnerable locations, following Storm Éowyn. This Plan was updated in October. Core work undertaken includes:
• remedial works to the network;
• working with Coillte and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to identify segments of the network at highest future risk;
• replenishing emergency stocks, spare parts and materials;
• increasing staffing levels and available contractor resources; and
• establishing formal mutual aid arrangements for extreme weather events.
ESB-N is also increasing the number of access officers who engage with landowners on forestry work. My Department is preparing legislation to enhance ESB-N’s powers to manage vegetation. The Government approved the Heads of this Bill in July and work on advancing the legislation continues as a matter of priority.
I should also highlight that significant investment in the electricity grid which supports overall resilience is ongoing. On Tuesday 16 December, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published Price Review 6 (PR6) which sanctions investment in the grid to 2030. The CRU have proposed approval of an investment of up to €18.9 billion, with a €13.8 billion baseline investment guaranteed.
The Deputy might also wish to note that the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive and the Electricity and Gas Networks Sectoral Adaptation Plan (SAP) aim to enhance the resilience of the energy sector into the future. The Directive and the SAP will ensure that the energy sector can effectively manage risks and maintain service continuity in the face of future disruptions.