Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 October 2025
16. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has engaged with EirGrid and ESB regarding the amount of funding they have allocated to facilitating new data centre connections through Exchequer funding; if this data is recorded; and if so, to provide a detailed breakdown funding provided for this purpose in each of the years since 2020, in tabular form. [55871/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra54. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline how the commitment in Budget 2026 to leverage “the €3.5 billion equity into semi-state energy companies to boost electricity supply and make the network more sustainable and resilient” will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55892/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 54 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. Government approval has now been secured to draft a Bill providing for the investment in ESB, and it is hoped to publish the Bill in 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. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities, as the independent regulator, as part of their draft determination 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.
