Government Announces Long Awaited Strategy Statement on Private Wires

On 15 July 2025, the Government adopted a Strategy Statement on Private Wires.

This follows the publishing of the Private Wires - Guiding Principles for Policy Formulation which was approved by the Government in July last year. 

The Current System

As it stands, Ireland’s electricity transmission infrastructure is exclusively operated by the ESB, a semi-state company. The transfer of electricity from external generation takes place on the state-owned electricity grid, with Eirgrid operating the transmission system and ESB Networks operating the distribution system. The only exception to this rule is where: 

1. a developer, with the permission of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (“CRU”), builds their own connection from a new generator to the national grid on a ‘contestable basis’; or 
   
2. the CRU itself permits the construction of a ‘direct line’ between a generator and customers where either they have been refused a connection due to capacity or, where the CRU has determined a connection dispute. 

The purpose of the new Strategy Statement will be to unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly renewable generation and storage.

The Proposed New System 

The reform aims to expand the rights of private undertakings by allowing them to build and operate private electricity lines in the following circumstances: 

1. Direct connection between a generator and a customer, for example a solar farm directly suppling a data centre; 
   
2. A wind or solar farm will be able to share a connection with another energy generator or separately owned battery storage facility; 
   
3. Private lines will be allowed where they are the solution to allow on street charging of electric vehicles; and
4. To allow a firm that self-supplies electricity to provide electricity to its neighbours where the line does not have to cross land owned by a third party. 

The development of private wires is being facilitated where it is determined that private investment is the most efficient approach and where it is deemed to be in the public interest. It is envisaged by the Government that this expansion of rights to private undertakings will free up grid capacity for housing or other sectors of the economy. 

Legislative Change and Timeline 

While it is encouraging that the Government has published a Strategy Statement, any private investment in Ireland’s electricity infrastructure will require primary legislative change and an update to our current regulations. 

For further information on the Private Wire Policies Framework, or general legal advice on energy regulation and projects, please contact Fergal Ruane (Partner, Head of Projects and Infrastructure) or Megan Fennelly (Associate) in the Byrne Wallace Shields LLP Infrastructure, Construction and Energy Department.