IEA report demonstrates Ireland is a global frontrunner in integrating renewables; strategic choices lie ahead to ensure energy security in the coming decade
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the publication of a landmark report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) ‘Building a Secure Energy System for Ireland’ which assesses Ireland’s energy security into the 2030s. Minister O’Brien met with IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol in Paris to mark the launch of the report.
 
The analysis notes that as Ireland’s energy, climate and socio-economic goals align around the electricity system, this could lead to demand potentially doubling and require faster delivery of infrastructure and renewables. There are significant challenges and opportunities ahead to align planning and policies across key sectors of the economy – to support a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
 
Today’s developments also included a landmark pledge from Ireland of €5 million over five years towards the IEA’s Clean Energy Transition Programme (CETP). The CETP is the IEA’s flagship programme for achieving a clean energy transformation worldwide. This Voluntary Contribution will help to address global issues of significant importance, including the urgency of universal access to clean cooking, the imperative of people-centred energy transitions, and the exigency of rebuilding Ukraine's energy sector.
 
Four key questions are addressed by the analysis in the IEA’s ‘Building a Secure Energy System for Ireland’ report:
 

• What is the role of the power sector in enhancing decarbonisation and energy security in Ireland?
• What could be the adequacy, stability and flexibility challenges in the Irish power system towards 2035?
• What cross-sectoral considerations are relevant to ensure energy security?
• What are the key policy areas where action is needed?

 
The study provides an independent technical assessment of the role of the power sector in achieving Ireland’s policy objectives of decarbonisation and energy security. It examines the emerging power system security challenges in the context of the energy transition and provides an authoritative, independent assessment on the stability of the electricity system, and the wider role of the power sector in the decarbonisation of transport, heating and industry.
 
Minister O’Brien welcomed the publication of the report by the IEA today, saying:
 
“I warmly welcome the publication of this timely and detailed review of Ireland’s energy system as we continue to transition towards a renewables-led and decarbonised future. I would like to thank all those who contributed to the review across Government, the energy sector, and technical experts, as well as the IEA for their expertise in leading the analysis.
 
“This technical assessment by the IEA will serve as a starting point for a cross-Government programme of work in 2026 to consult on the role of the energy sector in delivering security, competitiveness, and sustainability across Irish society into the 2030s.”
 
IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol said:
 
“Ireland has shown that an island-based power system can successfully integrate very high shares of variable electricity generation, while maintaining a focus on energy security. As electricity demand grows strongly in the coming decade, this report highlights how coordinated planning, timely investment and continued innovation in power grids can help Ireland make progress on its electrification ambitions, as well as on its energy security, affordability and emissions reduction goals.”
 
The analysis provides recommendations across five key areas:
 

• Creation of a cross-sectoral energy security strategy for the 2030s;
• Developing enabling infrastructure;
• Accelerating generation capacity, storage, and demand-side flexibility;
• Enabling the secure operation of a highly-renewable power system;
• Advancing critical cross-cutting enablers.

 
This is a link to the report: https://www.iea.org/reports/powering-irelands-energy-future.
 

Legislation will support the build-out of Ireland’s electricity grid
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has secured Government approval to commence drafting of the Private Wires Bill. The Bill will amend the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to enable private development of electricity wires in four specific circumstances.
 
Private wires legislation will aid the build-out of Ireland’s electricity grid, whilst simultaneously accelerating the roll-out of renewable energy and electricity storage solutions. In this way, private development of electricity infrastructure will unlock new investment and alleviate grid constraints.
 
As per the approved Private Wires Policy Statement in July 2025, this Bill will allow for private wires to be built in four limited circumstances:
 

• To permit a private wire linking a single user of electricity to a separate singular generation asset. This connection may also include storage technologies;
• To facilitate hybrid grid connections;
• To allow on-street charging solutions for Electric Vehicles;
• To allow a customer that self-supplies electricity to provide electricity to a separate customer in a contiguous premises.

 
In order to develop a General Scheme in line with these four use cases, the Department worked in close consultation with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as well as ESB Networks and EirGrid. A regulatory impact assessment (RIA) was also conducted to evaluate the costs, benefits and impacts of the proposed legislation. To ensure diverse and accurate representation, an extensive public consultation was held to inform the policy statement in 2023. Feedback was received from a wide range of stakeholders including industry representatives from the renewable generation community, demand users, environmental groups, and farming associations.
 
As the Bill is being drafted and implemented, the Department will continue to work closely with the CRU and system operators – EirGrid and ESB Networks – to ensure private wires are regulated to high safety and technical standards and do not interfere with the efficient development of the national transmission and distribution grid.
 
This Bill is the next step in implementing the Private Wires Policy Framework. The development of the framework was committed to as an action in the Climate Action Plan and Programme for Government 2025. The Regulatory Impact Assessment and Heads of Bill are available now to view at this link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/private-wires-bill-2025-general-scheme-and-regulatory-impact-analysis/.
 
Minister O’Brien said:
 
“The approval for the drafting of this Bill is a positive step in the implementation of the Private Wires Policy Statement which was approved by the Government this year. Once they are enabled, Private Wires will allow for private investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly to enable the development of more renewable energy and electricity storage. Private Wires will provide greater opportunity for electricity customers and generators, and this will form part of the overall solution for further electrification and development of clean energy, whilst still ensuring that the national electricity grid is the primary route for electricity connections.”

From Balla Tidy Towns to Grant Thornton, the new SDG Champions demonstrate the drive of Irish organisations – large and small – to promote and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
 
The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has appointed 20 new organisations from across Irish society to become Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions for the next 18 months.
 
Organisations ranging from Killimordaly GAA to Galway City Council, from FoodCloud to Guaranteed Irish, are leading by example in driving forward progress to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
This brings to 74 the number of SDG Champions in Ireland. Already, 54 organisations and groups – large and small, national and local – have become SDG Champions across the 2019-2020, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 programmes, including the GAA, Tesco, Irish Girl Guides, Chambers Ireland, Leave No Trace Ireland, UCD, among others.
 
Announcing the appointments, Minister O’Brien said:
 
“The world faces huge challenges in achieving the SDGs, with only 18% of the goals currently on track globally. However, this year, as we mark the 70th anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations, we are committed to achieving the vision and ambition of Agenda 2030, a roadmap for a fairer, safer, more prosperous, and sustainable world. In fulfilling the ambition of the SDGs, we have made considerable progress, but more is needed, and faster, from all stakeholders – locally, nationally and internationally.
 
“Over 90 organisations applied to take part in the Programme this year, demonstrating the continued commitment of Irish society to help achieve and promote the SDGs. Partnerships play a crucial role, and it is great to have such a diverse range of organisations working collectively towards a better future for everyone. The SDG Champions Programme recognises that everyone has a role to play, and everyone can contribute to achieving the SDGs.”
 
Appointed as part of the 2025-2027 SDG Champions Programme, the chosen organisations will help raise awareness of the importance of the SDGs as a roadmap for a safer, fairer, more prosperous and sustainable future for all, that leaves no-one behind. The Champions will show through their own actions that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 
The organisations appointed under this year's programme have been selected from across the public, private, community, voluntary, youth and NGO sectors and are represented by larger, national organisations and smaller, community groups.
 
In addition, former SDG champions have chosen to take up the role of SDG Ambassadors, and are continuing to raise awareness and promote the SDGs. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment will work with this year’s champions, and with SDG Ambassadors throughout the year to achieve the SDGs and the overall Sustainable Development 2030 Agenda in Ireland.
 
Find out more about the 2025-2027 SDG Champions Programme on the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment website: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/sdg-champions-2025-2027/

CRU’s Price Review 6 sets out a transformative regulatory and investment framework up to 2030
 
PR6 will enable the investment our energy system needs to deliver on housing, industrial development, digitalisation and climate action
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has today welcomed the publication of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Final Determination on Price Review 6 (PR6), covering the period 2026 to 2030. The CRU sets expenditure by EirGrid and ESB Networks in 5-year cycles called Price Reviews. PR6 paves the way for an historic investment of up to €18.9 billion in Ireland’s energy infrastructure – to provide for our growing population and facilitate investment in our economy.
 
Unprecedented €3.5 billion Government equity investment
 
The PR6 programme will be supported by an unprecedented €3.5 billion Government equity investment in our electricity infrastructure, as committed to in the revised National Development Plan in July. As part of this investment, €1.5 billion will be transferred to ESB this week, to support delivery of onshore electricity infrastructure over the next five years.
 
The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 2025, which provided the mechanism for the investment in ESB, was enacted as a matter of priority at the end of November. To ensure strong Government oversight of the investment, the Minister will receive quarterly monitoring reports as to the expenditure of the investment and progress on delivery of the overall PR6 investment programme.
 
Energy infrastructure
 
Energy infrastructure is a critical component of Government action on housing, industrial development, digitalisation and climate action. The investment levels agreed in PR6 will enable delivery of essential energy infrastructure as set out in the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure report and action plan. PR6 also provides for investment in network capacity to ensure that we can accommodate more renewable energy generation on our grid.
 
Welcoming the determination, Minister O’Brien said:
 
“Ireland is entering into the most significant period of energy infrastructure development since rural electrification. The Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan demands bold ambition, and PR6 helps us to deliver that. The framework will deliver the resilience our energy system needs to withstand extreme weather events. The large-scale investment also means that Ireland can develop the energy system that is required to deliver on our housing, industrial development, digitalisation and climate action goals. In the long run, it will also deliver cost benefits to households. Investment in our grid now will facilitate more home-grown renewables that will ultimately reduce our reliance on volatile international gas markets.
 
“I also welcome the transfer – this week – of €1.5 billion in Government equity to ESB, as committed to in the revised National Development Plan. This funding will ensure ESB Networks is sufficiently financed to begin delivering on the ambitious PR6 investment programme starting next year.”
 
The PR6 programme will facilitate a wide range of infrastructure delivery including:
 

• The connection of up to 300,000 new homes by 2030;
• Electrification of public transport projects, including preparation for Metrolink;
• Upgrading and preparing our network through an annual network resilience programme, to meet the challenges of climate and storms;
• Increasing capacity on the network and upgrading existing infrastructure, to meet the growing electricity demand from homes and businesses;
• Network infrastructure to support the connection of up to 1 million electric vehicles and the very significant roll-out of heat pumps.

 
Overall, the PR6 programme of works is intended to strengthen and improve Ireland’s national grid infrastructure, allowing ESB Networks and EirGrid to connect new homes and businesses, reduce curtailment and constraint costs for consumers (thus reducing energy bills) and make Ireland’s electricity grid more resilient to the effects of storms. Furthermore, the upgrade of the grid will facilitate the development of renewable energy – both onshore and offshore – and prepare for important public transport projects such as Metrolink.

Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Ireland’s Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, have all welcomed the publication today of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy for the island.
Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy is being published today by the Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure. The Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was launched following public consultation in July 2024.
The Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years. These include a series of new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity. Work on these projects in Ireland will start next year, for full delivery by 2030.
The Strategy also identifies Major Projects to be progressed for the longer-run, involving intercity electrification and significant capacity upgrades on the rail network. These Major Projects include “FourNorth”, to add track capacity on the busy Northern line north of Connolly station; electrification and line speed improvements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast routes; and new/reinstated lines such as Portadown to Derry~Londonderry and Letterkenny.
Minister O’Brien said: “I welcome the publication of this Strategy which provides a way forward for faster rail services, improved frequency, and greater accessibility and connectivity across this island. I look forward to the progression of the rail projects in the years ahead.” 
Minister Canney said: “I am delighted that this Strategy highlights rail enhancements for delivery over the next few years, involving a new station platform at Limerick Junction and additional platforms on the Galway and Sligo routes, as well as new track passing loops on the Limerick to Waterford line, the Sligo line, the Westport/Ballina route and Dublin to Belfast line. I am also happy that the Strategy calls out the re-instatement of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris, boosting connectivity for the people of Galway and Mayo.” 
Minister Kimmins said: “This Strategy is the next step in progressing the implementation of the Rail Review. It aims to sequence projects in order to develop a sustainable pipeline of investment. I believe the transformation of our rail network will help address regional imbalance and encourage a shift towards greater use of sustainable transport. This includes important projects for the north, including Portadown to Derry, Portadown to Armagh and Lisburn to Antrim.”  
Irish Government funding for the Early Interventions is provided under the National Development Plan Transport Sectoral Implementation Plan for 2026 to 2030, published in November.
Overall, the Strategy outlines the rail frequency, journey time and sustainability benefits that will be delivered by the various projects included within it. The Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure will continue to work together as appropriate to advance these projects and support their delivery, in the public interest.

I very much welcome the update from the Office of Public Works regarding the continued collaboration with Fingal County Council to address coastal erosion in the Portrane and Burrow Peninsula areas, which I have been working on for the last number of years. The commitment of €1.65 million for interim works, studies, and emergency measures demonstrates meaningful progress in protecting our coastline and supporting affected communities in our area. 

The forthcoming submission of a coastal protection scheme for the Burrow Peninsula to An Coimisiún Pleanála is an especially positive step, and it is encouraging to see sustained engagement between national and local authorities on this urgent issue.

I also welcome the work of the interdepartmental steering group on coastal change in advancing the recommendations of the National Coastal Change Management Strategy, approved by Government in October 2023. Ensuring that Special Areas of Conservation are appropriately managed under the National Parks and Wildlife Service is essential to balancing environmental protection with the needs of coastal communities.

This a constructive, coordinated approach to tackling coastal erosion, thanks for all the local community involvement and engagement. I look forward to further progress in the weeks and months ahead and I will keep you informed.