Strategic Pillars
Keeping Ireland Powered
Keeping Ireland Powered
Keeping Ireland powered is the bedrock of everything we do.
Every home, business, hospital, school and community depends on a power system that is safe, secure and resilient, every minute of every day. Operating that system is EirGrid’s first and most fundamental responsibility.
But this is no longer just about maintaining what exists. The power system is changing at unprecedented speed. Generation is becoming cleaner and more distributed. We see demand rising and electricity markets evolving. Weather patterns are becoming more volatile. Expectations are higher than ever.
EirGrid’s role is to hold stability at the centre of this change. We operate today’s system with reliability, safety and security, while at the same time adapting it for a very different future. This is how we earn trust from Government, businesses, communities and the public.
That trust underpins Ireland’s ability to grow, attract investment and decarbonise. It is the essential foundation on which everything else is built.
Operate and enhance a safe, secure and resilient power system while optimising generation from low carbon sources.
Operate and develop efficient and transparent electricity markets whilst delivering the energy transition and driving affordable outcomes for consumers.
Operate a secure and resilient power system and ensure that System Minutes Lost* remains below 0.75 minutes per annum.
Deliver a new state-of-the-art National Control Centre by 2030, enabling the secure and effective operation of an increasingly complex, dynamic and decarbonised power system.
*System Minutes Lost measures how severe a power outage is relative to the size of the overall power system. It is the amount of energy lost during a disturbance expressed as the equivalent duration (in minutes) for which the total system demand would need to be interrupted to equal that energy loss. This KPI is in line with CRU PR6 KPIs.
Keeping Ireland Powered
Strategic Priorities
Operate and enhance a safe, secure and resilient power system while optimising generation from low carbon sources
We will:
Operate a safe, secure and resilient power system as it becomes more dynamic and complex.
Support increasing levels of renewable generation and take all actions within our control to minimise renewable dispatch down and maximise clean energy integration.
Deliver a new state-of-the-art National Control Centre by 2030 with capability to operate the clean power system of the future.
Protect the grid from major risks, including cyber incidents, severe weather and the impacts of climate change.
Operate and develop efficient and transparent electricity markets whilst delivering the energy transition and driving affordable outcomes for consumers.
We will:
Operate efficient and transparent electricity markets that support security of supply, maximise renewable participation and minimise costs, in line with Government policy.
Ensure the market is ready for the pace and scale of the energy transition and for deeper integration with the EU electricity market.
Building the Backbone. A Grid that Enables Growth
Building the Backbone.
A Grid that Enables Growth
The grid we build shapes the Ireland we become. Planning, developing and renewing our electricity infrastructure, at pace and scale, is how we turn our national ambition into physical reality. It is where EirGrid’s purpose becomes visible in the world around us, and where we build trust by delivering the infrastructure Ireland needs with expertise, precision, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
A strong, well-planned grid enables regional development, local enterprise, foreign direct investment, renewable generation and greater energy independence. The CRU’s approval of €18.9bn investment in Ireland’s electricity grid under PR6 provides the regulatory framework and funding to progress this work at the scale required.
This work is not just about major infrastructure. It is about building with care, engaging with communities, balancing national need with local impact, and earning a durable social licence to deliver through consistent, reliable execution while ensuring investment is made economically and responsibly. It also depends on close partnership with ESB Networks, whose expertise and delivery capability are essential to turning plans into operational reality.
By building the backbone of Ireland’s energy system, we enable balanced growth, support prosperity across regions, and create the conditions for a low-carbon future while reinforcing confidence in our role as a trusted delivery partner for
the country.
Deliver our onshore infrastructure efficiently, economically and safely, at pace and scale, ensuring Ireland’s grid enables growth and powers communities.
Drive excellence in public engagement through a strengthened Public Engagement Strategy and Community Activation Plan that provides a solid foundation for grid delivery.
Deliver the €6bn investment programme in the transmission system out to 2030 to support Ireland’s growth, competitiveness and decarbonisation ambitions.
This investment programme includes projects to uprate up to 1,000 km of existing circuits, adding up to 450 km of new transmission lines and 65 substations, while delivering a positive impact for host communities, including up to €40m for local projects.
Building the Backbone. A Grid that Enables Growth
Strategic Priorities
Deliver our onshore infrastructure efficiently, economically and safely, at pace and scale, ensuring Ireland’s grid enables growth and powers communities.
We will:
Deliver the Price Review 6 investment programme at scale to support Ireland’s growth, competitiveness and decarbonisation ambitions.
Work with ESB and other key partners to accelerate delivery, using innovative solutions and removing barriers to progress.
Prioritise strategic projects with the greatest national impact and clearest long-term benefits.
Deliver the grid infrastructure needed to connect new generation and demand customers, including 3.5GW of renewable projects.
Maintain strong momentum on the North South Interconnector in order to achieve energisation in 2031.
Drive excellence in public engagement through a strengthened Public Engagement Strategy and Community Activation Plan that provides a solid foundation for grid delivery.
We will:
Build on our public engagement approach by working early, openly and transparently with communities, landowners and stakeholders.
Co-create solutions that support local benefit, national progress and long-term public trust.
Minimise disruption and maximise benefits for those affected by our projects, including up to €40m for local community projects through our Community Benefit Fund.
Work with Government, the Regulator and the European Commission to ensure the benefits of infrastructure development are evident to communities and citizens.
Transforming for Clean Energy
Transforming for Clean Energy
Ireland’s future power system will not look like today’s. It will be bigger, more dynamic and more complex, designed for far higher volumes of renewable generation, new technologies, new market dynamics and new patterns of demand. More efficient market integration, increased renewable generation and deeper interconnection will help support more stable and competitive electricity costs for consumers over the long term.
This requires more than incremental change, it requires deliberate, system-wide transformation.
EirGrid’s role is to design, plan and enable that future system. A system that supports Government climate targets, keeps electricity affordable, supports and attracts investment and fuels innovation, ultimately strengthening national resilience and enabling greater energy independence.
This is where deep expertise, long-term planning and independent informed judgement make a real difference to the choices we take and the outcomes we achieve. By reimagining how the power system works, we help create a cleaner, more cost competitive and more resilient Ireland.
Shape a future‑ready electricity network to meet Ireland’s onshore, offshore and interconnection needs.
Deliver strategic market programmes and provide trusted expertise to inform future affordable and well-functioning electricity markets for a competitive future.
Drive innovation to deliver operational capabilities for the safe and secure operation of the future clean energy power system.
Enable the power system to be capable of operating with up to 95% renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2035, leveraging the integration of clean technologies for more than 70% of inertia requirements and enabling innovative technologies including 500 MW of long duration storage.**
Develop our vision for the future electricity network beyond 2030 by 2027 and accelerate the key projects required to enable growth in renewables, housing, industry and digital up to 2050.
**This work is in conjunction with SONI. Inertia provides stability to the electricity grid by slowing electrical frequency changes during sudden supply or demand imbalance. To date, inertia has primarily been provided by large synchronous conventional generating units.
Transforming for Clean Energy
Strategic Priorities
Shape a future-ready electricity network to meet Ireland’s onshore, offshore and interconnection needs.
We will:
Plan the transmission network Ireland will need beyond 2030 to support long-term growth, resilience and decarbonisation.
Accelerate the key projects required to enable growth in renewables, housing, industry and digital to 2050.
Explore and advance future interconnection opportunities that strengthen Ireland’s energy future and economic competitiveness.
Deliver strategic market programmes and provide trusted expertise to inform future affordable and well-functioning electricity markets for a competitive future.
We will:
Complete the integration of the Single Electricity Market into the EU market to improve trading efficiency and maximise interconnection benefits.
Support the Irish Regulatory Authorities in developing a new Capacity Remuneration Mechanism after 2027. Support a multi-year electricity markets plan and help shape agile, future-focused market arrangements for Ireland.
Work with stakeholders and contribute our expertise to help inform EU and GB electricity market policy in Ireland’s interest.
Drive innovation to deliver operational capabilities for the safe and secure operation of the future clean energy power system.
We will:
Implement the Operational Policy Roadmap to support operation of the power system with up to 95% electricity from wind and solar at any one time.
Enable low-carbon outcomes by integrating innovative system services and technologies, including Low Carbon Inertia Services (LCIS), Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES), Future Arrangements for system Services (FASS) and demand flexibility.
Strengthen power system capability to support stability, resilience and the transition to a cleaner energy future.
Manage generation adequacy as Ireland moves towards a low-carbon energy system.
Support impactful research and continue building world-class innovation capability.
Unlocking New Frontiers. Offshore and Interconnection
Unlocking New Frontiers. Offshore and Interconnection
Offshore wind and interconnection represent a step-change in what Ireland’s power system can become.
They open the door to large-scale renewable generation, greater long-term energy independence, new indigenous industries and supply chains, and deeper European integration.
Delivering offshore infrastructure and interconnectors is complex, capital-intensive and high-impact. Realising this opportunity depends not only on offshore development, but on bringing communities with us as we strengthen the backbone onshore infrastructure that will be essential to enable it. It demands careful planning, strong partnerships and timely execution, aligned with Government policy and planning.
For EirGrid, this pillar is both practical and symbolic. It is practical because it provides critical infrastructure Ireland needs. It is symbolic because it demonstrates Ireland’s capability, ambition and determination to build the energy system required for its future.
Execute our plan for offshore asset readiness to assume full responsibility for offshore asset ownership.
Develop and build the EirGrid owned infrastructure required to connect offshore wind efficiently, economically and safely.
Deliver the Celtic Interconnector, and facilitate, energise, operate and manage interconnectors within our remit.
Ensure the contractual arrangements are in place to enable Phase 1 East Coast developers to make final investment decisions in line with their programmes.
Complete all activities necessary, including planning submission in 2029, to progress the delivery of the transmission assets for the Phase 2 South Coast Tonn Nua project.
Complete all onshore works and energise the converter stations for the Celtic Interconnector in 2026. Complete the installation of the marine cable for the Celtic Interconnector in 2028, connecting Ireland with mainland Europe.
Unlocking New Frontiers. Offshore and Interconnection
Strategic Priorities
Execute our plan for offshore asset readiness to assume full responsibility for offshore asset ownership.
We will:
Finalise contracts and prepare for the purchase and transfer of offshore transmission infrastructure from Phase 1 East Coast developers.
Build on our organisational, technical and operational capability to take full responsibility for offshore transmission assets at scale.
Deliver a robust offshore TSO model that supports safe, reliable and efficient asset ownership and operation.
Be ready for the first offshore asset transfers to EirGrid.
Develop and build the EirGrid owned infrastructure required to connect offshore wind efficiently, economically and safely.
We will:
Continue to strengthen our offshore delivery capability to deliver infrastructure safely, efficiently and cost-effectively, in line with Government offshore wind ambitions.
Ensure substantive collaboration with all coastal communities and maritime users by embedding best practice principles in EirGrid’s Public Engagement Strategy.
Complete all activities necessary, including planning submission in 2029, to progress the delivery of the transmission assets for the Phase 2 South Coast Tonn Nua project.
Continue planning for the next stage of offshore development on the South Coast, as identified in the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan.
Deliver the Celtic Interconnector, and facilitate, energise, operate and manage interconnectors within our remit.
We will:
Complete all onshore works and energise the converter stations for the Celtic Interconnector in 2026.
Complete the installation of the marine cable for the Celtic Interconnector in 2028, connecting Ireland with mainland Europe.
Integrate the Celtic Interconnector smoothly into the power system and electricity market to maximise long-term value and resilience.
Continue to operate the East West Interconnector and maximise its performance, reliability and lifetime value.
Facilitate future private interconnectors in line with Government policy and Regulatory direction.
