Minister O’Brien announces publication of Department’s NDP Sectoral Capital Plan for 2026-2030

Plan will support investment of over €5.6 billion by Department in key Government priorities, plus €14 billion by ESB and EirGrid in Ireland’s electricity grid infrastructure
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has today launched the Department’s Sectoral Capital Plan for 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. The plan is strongly aligned with the goals, objectives and actions of the Department’s new Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 28 (published in September).
 
The Sectoral Capital Plan provides for a total capital funding envelope under the National Development Plan of up to €5.6 billion and describes priority investments in the energy, climate and circular economy sectors over the next five years, together with planned electricity grid investments that will be leveraged by a separate equity investment of €3.5 billion in EirGrid and ESB.
 
Under the Department’s Sectoral Capital Plan, a key priority will be to meet the commitments in the Programme for Government to allocate a share of annual carbon tax proceeds for investment in energy efficiency programmes. The largest single programme in the plan, up to €3.7 billion, will be invested in residential energy efficiency programmes through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. This funding will enable the Department to expand delivery of the National Retrofit Plan, to increase the delivery of home energy upgrades to homeowners, community groups and, through the Warmer Homes Scheme, households at risk of energy poverty towards the cost of a range of home energy efficiency measures aimed at reducing energy consumption and supporting the transition away from fossil fuels.
 
Other key priorities under the Plan include:
 

• Continuing sustained action to tackle the climate crisis and to decarbonise the economy, including by accelerating delivery of actions to achieve national and EU targets in emissions reductions to 2030 and 2040 and setting a pathway to net-zero emissions no later than 2050;
• Delivering the energy infrastructure required to sustain a growing economy;
• Improving our competitiveness in a changing world and preparing Irish enterprises to position Ireland ahead of emerging economic trends;
• Making Ireland’s buildings more sustainable and energy-efficient, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and lowering energy costs for households, by promoting retrofitting, renewable heat and solar energy solutions and technologies;
• Leading a revolution in renewable electricity with a commitment to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030;
• Ensuring our communities thrive, including by empowering communities in renewable energy and making climate action accessible; and
• Promoting a circular economy.

 
Commenting, Minister O’Brien said:
 
“I was delighted to secure an allocation under the National Development Plan Review 2025 of €9.14 billion to fund the Department’s capital programmes and those of its agencies over the next five years, including €3.5 billion in new equity to EirGrid and to ESB. This record level of funding to the Department is a strong vote of confidence by the Government in the achievements of the Department to date, and its capacity to continue to deliver important outcomes for our citizens, communities and businesses across Ireland, and to prioritise the delivery of transformative, critical and growth-enhancing infrastructure over the next five years.
 
“The Government’s decision to provide a total equity investment of €3.5 billion into ESB and EirGrid will future-proof Ireland’s electricity system and ensure it can meet the growing demands of our economy, our homes, and our climate targets. The transition to a renewables-led energy system is crucial to provide secure, sustainable, and affordable energy for generations to come.”
 
Minister of State with responsibility for Circular Economy Alan Dillon said:
 
“This plan commits to significant capital investment between 2026 and 2030 in measures that will support the development of a more circular, sustainable economy – one where waste is designed out, and value is kept in. Increased investment in landfill remediation and strengthened waste enforcement will also drive systemic change in our approach to protecting our environment. The implementation of Ireland's second Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy will provide the overall policy framework for these investments and will help to drive this change over the coming years, enabling us to build a resilient, climate-neutral and nature-positive economy for future generations.”
 
Minister of State with responsibility for the Marine Timmy Dooley said:
 
“I welcome the capital funding provision in this Plan for delivery of our key priorities in the marine planning and environment and inland fisheries areas. Our goal is to ensure that our rivers, seas and oceans are clean, healthy, productive and sustainably used. Funding commitments to key programmes and for our agencies will enable sustained action towards these objectives over the coming five years.”
 
The Department’s NDP Sectoral Capital Plan for 2026-2030 can be viewed at this link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/sectoral-capital-plan/