The Irish government has approved a new ‘private wires’ policy to enable direct connections between renewable energy generators and electricity users, aiming to unlock private sector investment in grid infrastructure.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien announced the decision following a consultation with 128 industry stakeholders.
Under the new policy, private investors will be permitted to build and own electricity lines in specific cases where they connect generation assets directly to end users.
Examples include wind or solar farms supplying electricity directly to factories or industrial customers, as well as connections between generators and battery storage operators.
Private wires will also be allowed for on-street EV charging solutions and for situations where a self-supplying business can provide surplus electricity to a neighbouring customer without crossing third-party land.
O’Brien said: “This is a very significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure.”
He added: “I, and officials in my department, are now focused on the next steps – to implement this policy.”
Primary legislation will be introduced to amend the Electricity Regulation Act, with a general scheme expected to come before the government in the autumn.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities will also be resourced to take on the new responsibilities.
O’Brien said his department would continue to monitor developments in the emerging green energy park sector to assess any future need for further liberalisation.
The reform builds on a set of guiding principles published by the government in 2024, which stated that private sector resources should be mobilised to build new energy infrastructure and enable direct supply connections.