Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
244. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the provisions in place to protect power supplies to homes and other businesses when there is excess power demand, potentially caused by data-centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5453/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning, building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system are functions which are assigned to the respective Distribution and Transmission System Operators, who are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions. They are accountable to the independent regulator, the CRU.
EirGrid regularly reviews forecasted electricity demand through the Generation Capacity Statement and All-Island Resource Adequacy Assessment. Similarly, the CRU regularly reviews electricity connection policies to ensure they align with national policy. Each of these organisations have a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members. As such the Deputy may wish to engage with EirGrid, ESBN and CRU directly via [oireachtas@eirgrid.ie] , [oireachtas@esb.ie] and [oireachtas@cru.ie],
It should be noted that data centres can provide significant flexibility to the electricity system, by reducing demand at times of system constraint. This flexibility can be provided through market mechanisms or, in specific emergency situations, through a process known as Mandatory Demand Curtailment.
Notwithstanding the high demand for new electrical connections, which has led in certain instances to capacity constraints on the electricity grid, 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.
My Department engages with the CRU, ESB Networks and EirGrid on a regular basis on the increased demand from the electrification of our economy and society, as well as increased housing demand. Additionally, the Department has formed a cross-organisational group, the Urban Capacity Contact Group, to ensure the continued provision of connection agreements for housing and enterprise.
This work supplements Government measures 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.
