NEWS
Plans have been announced by EirGrid to significantly grow its operations over the next five years as it works to support and facilitate the timely delivering of an unprecedented amount of new infrastructure. EirGrid is responsible for balancing electricity supply and demand from the National Control Centre, while also planning for Ireland’s long-term electricity needs. Its costs are approved and overseen in five-year periods through the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Price Review process. Plans for the PR6 period of 2026- 2030 include significant investment in EIRGRID’S PR6 BUSINESS PLAN OUTLINES AMBITION TO TRANSFORM ELECTRICITY GRID
Cathal Marley, Chief Executive of EirGrid, has been appointed as the new Chancellor of
Dublin City University.
technology and people and the delivery of new onshore infrastructure including uprates to existing lines, new overhead lines, new underground cables and new/ expanded substations. EirGrid is also assuming ownership and control of offshore transmission assets and will work to ensure the grid and market are ready to integrate the Celtic Interconnector between Ireland and France. The plan also reflects EirGrid’s need to grow its capability, enhance system efficiency and strengthen its cyber security posture. www.eirgrid.ie
Published in 2021, Ireland’s National Development Plan has been updated.
A total of €3.5bn has been earmarked for energy projects with ESB Networks and Eirgrid in an updated National Development Plan published by the Irish government on July 22. Totalling €275.4bn of public capital investment to 2035, the updated plan aims to secure Ireland’s future, unlock housing targets, upgrade water and energy infrastructure, deliver more roads and provide better public transport. The largest-ever capital investment plan in the history of the State, key allocations also comprise €24.3bn for the transport sector including low carbon transport projects such as Metrolink and €12.2bn for water and wastewater services. Tánaiste Simon Harris said, “By prioritising investment in water, energy and transport, we are laying the groundwork for 300,000 new homes by 2030.” Meanwhile, Energy Minister Darragh O’Brien has announced a new policy on ‘private wires’, aiming to unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly renewable generation and storage. It also aims to facilitate the provision of low-cost charging solutions for EVs and expand opportunities for self-supply of electricity. www.gov.ie IRISH GOV ANNOUNCES MAJOR ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
ELECTRIFICATION OF NORTHERN IRELAND TO BE BOOSTED BY NEW STRATEGY
New government
connection times and simplify the planning process, and allocates an additional £1.2bn a year for skills training. BEAMA has also welcomed the Clean Flexibility Roadmap, published on July 23, which aims to create a more flexible electricity system allowing households
policies aimed at supporting electrification across the UK, including Northern Ireland, have been welcomed by electrotechnical sector association BEAMA.
A 10-year plan to create a more competitive and resilient economy in the UK, the Modern Industrial Strategy identifies eight growth-driving sectors including clean energy. NI’s unique, uninterrupted access to EU and UK markets is highlighted as a key strength. Published on June 23, the strategy identifies aims to cut electricity costs by up to 25% from 2027 for energy- intensive businesses, reduce grid
and businesses to benefit from flexible tariffs and low prices at non-peak times or when clean energy is abundant. NI is developing its own Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan to complement the UK Roadmap, which outlines a delivery strategy for the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan launched in December 2024. www.beama.org.uk
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 7
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