Mayo minister welcomes major investment to strengthen Ireland’s electricity grid

Minister of State Alan Dillon TD has welcomed the passing of the Electricity (Supply) Bill 2025, calling it “a major step toward building a stronger, more reliable electricity grid for communities across Ireland.”

The Bill has now successfully passed through both the Dáil and Seanad and will proceed to the President for signature. The legislation provides the legal basis for a €1.5 billion Government equity investment in the ESB and raises the ESB’s statutory borrowing limit to €17 billion, enabling the most significant upgrade of Ireland’s electricity network in the State’s history.

Combined with EirGrid’s separate €2 billion investment, this programme will reinforce both the national transmission system, the high-voltage backbone that carries power across the country and the distribution network that supplies electricity directly to homes, farms and businesses.

Minister Dillon said the legislation directly supports ESB’s onshore grid investment under the upcoming PR6 period (2026–2030), the five-year plan that outlines the essential upgrades ESB and EirGrid must deliver, the level of investment permitted, and the target improvements in capacity and reliability.

“PR6 is the roadmap for expanding and modernising our grid,” he said. “It sets out how we build more capacity for new homes, new enterprises, and the rapid growth of renewable energy.”

The programme will deliver more than 500 projects nationwide, including: new overhead and underground lines, almost 70 new or upgraded substations and 50,000 pole replacements. Minister Dillon said the importance of this investment was made painfully clear during Storm Eowyn, which caused severe damage and prolonged outages across parts of Mayo.

“We saw first-hand the destruction Storm Eowyn brought to communities in Mayo with roads blocked, infrastructure brought down, and families left without power for days,” he said. “The response from ESB crews, council staff and local volunteers was exceptional, but the reality is clear: our network needs greater resilience. This investment will help ensure that when the next major storm hits, and it will, our grid is stronger, quicker to recover and better able to protect communities.”

He added that strengthening the grid will also support new housing, regional development and the fast connection of renewable energy projects that will help stabilise electricity prices over the long term.

Minister Dillon acknowledged concerns about energy bills, noting that investment in domestic renewable energy and a more resilient network is essential to reducing reliance on imported gas. He also outlined Government measures being advanced to support households, including extending the reduced VAT rate on energy, increasing the Fuel Allowance, expanding solar PV grants and ensuring hardship supports remain available through energy suppliers.

“This legislation delivers the long-term infrastructure Ireland needs,” Minister Dillon concluded, “Alongside Minister Darragh O’Brien I was proud to support this Bill through both the Dáil and Seanad because it means a stronger, safer and more reliable electricity system for families, businesses and communities in Mayo and right across the country.”

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