Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
61. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the new policy on private wires; the way in which this will be regulated; the safety measures which are in place; the measures he is taking to ensure that these types of connections are accessible and affordable rather than just with those with the greatest means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72895/25]
View answer62. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the new policy on private wires; the framework for gaining the consent of local communities and landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72896/25]
View answer63. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the new policy on private wires; the framework to ensure that private wires will not undermine the development of the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72897/25]
View answer64. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the new policy on private wires; the framework to ensure that the same technical and safety standards as the National electricity grid and will be capable of being taken in charge by the system operators. [72898/25]
View answer65. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the new policy on private wires; the framework to ensure that it does not undermine the financing of the national grid; the framework to ensure that it does not impact on TSO and the DSO to maintain and expand the national grid. [72899/25]
View answer66. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the additional resources which will be provided to the CRU for its regulatory role with regard to private wires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72900/25]
View answer67. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the new private wires policy; the threshold for a new grid based solution not being available thus allowing access to a private connection. [72901/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 61 to 67, inclusive, together.
Having received Government approval for the Private Wires Policy Statement in July this year, my Department has initiated the process of drafting the subsequent necessary Private Wires legislation.
Officials have begun engagement on the drafting of this legislation with electricity regulators, system operators, other relevant Government Departments, and industry representatives from sectors including renewable electricity generation, energy storage, and demand-side customers.
The Private Wires Policy Statement states that Private Wires will be built to the same technical and safety standards as the National Electricity Gird and will be capable of being taken in charge by the System Operators. The policy further states that private wires will not undermine the financing of the national grid. The National Electricity Grid will remain the preferred way to connect generators and customers of electricity. Where Grid-based solutions are available these will be preferred to Private Wires.
The CRU will be assigned the role of permitting private wires and ensuring that they are built and operated to the same technical and safety standards as the national electricity grid. The resources of the CRU will be increased appropriately.
The General Scheme was approved by Cabinet on the 16 December. My Department will now begin the process of formally drafting the Bill to allow for private wires.
