Eirgrid are being called on by the IFA to review their plans to put thousands of kilometres of electricity lines across the country following the publication of an ESB report which questions the future electricity demand predicted by EirGrid.

ESB’s own assessment is that demand will grow by 4%, while the EirGrid figure was over ten times greater at 45%, the IFA said in their statement. The report goes on to question the necessity for projects currently being planned by EirGrid, including Grid West and Grid Link.

IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Harold Kingston said: “Energy policy in Ireland is clearly disjointed, with ESB and EirGrid now at odds regarding electricity infrastructure requirements."

The IFA recently met with Energy Minister Alex White and called on him to publish a clear national energy plan which is fully costed and makes sense.

Kingston said the need for this plan is now even greater. "If energy policy is to be successful, then it must provide a clear directional path and Irish people deserve that clarity regarding energy policy."