Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
115. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the safeguards he will introduce as part of his legislation on private wires to ensure that fairness to households becomes a central design principle of the regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26173/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe private wires regime was approved by Cabinet on the 16 December 2025. Since then, my Department has begun engagement with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to begin drafting the necessary legislation required to bring forward the private wires regime. Introducing a private wires regime is a priority for this Government. It is the intention to have completed the passage of the Bill before the Oireachtas as early as possible this year.
The private wires regime will unlock private sector resources to build new electricity infrastructure by expanding the rights of private undertakings to connect supply directly with demand. The intention is that private wires will accelerate investment in new electricity infrastructure, including renewable generation and storage, in a manner consistent with the guiding principles of the private wires policy. This will strengthen grid efficiency and aid accelerated grid development.
As per the Private Wires Policy Statement, which was approved by Cabinet in July 2025, the introduction of private wires will require a review of the recovery of network charges. This methodology will be created in line with the private wires policy, ensuring that private wire entities will pay the full cost of the service they have sought from, or that is provided to them by, the national electricity grid. This will be introduced to ensure that households do not subsidise private development. Furthermore, private wires will not be permitted to interfere with the development or financing of the national electricity grid.
