The government has approved new guidelines that pave the way for wind and solar farms to connect directly to energy users, bypassing the ESB and EirGrid network.
These new private wire rules mark a significant shift in connection policy, which until now had been tightly controlled by the ESB and EirGrid.
Many other countries already permit such private connections, and Ireland is now following suit.
According to the Government, the new rules are expected to unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly in renewable energy generation and storage. They will also support the rollout of low-cost electric vehicle charging solutions and expand opportunities for businesses to self-supply their electricity needs.
Circumstances
Private wires will only be able to be installed under four circumstances:
Direct supply between a generator and a user: a wind or solar farm will be allowed to connect directly to an electricity customer, such as a factory aiming to decarbonise. In some cases, this can be faster and more efficient than having both parties connect separately to the national grid.Shared grid connections: a generator (e.g., a solar or wind farm) may share its grid connection with another generator or battery installation owned by a different company. Previously, this arrangement could have breached rules prohibiting private lines.Electric vehicle charging: private lines will be permitted where they are needed to enable on-street EV charging.Neighbouring self-supply: a business that generates its own electricity may supply a neighbouring customer, provided the connection does not cross land owned by a third party.Opportunities
The new rules could unlock sites that were previously ruled out due to grid constraints. For example, if a landowner has property next to a large energy user, they may now be able to develop a wind or solar farm and connect directly to that customer.
While such projects are not straightforward, some farmers are actively pursuing these kinds of developments but had been unable to move forward until this legislation was in place.
If a private wire is proposed to cross a landowner’s property, the landowner will also now have significantly more bargaining power than they would with infrastructure installed by ESB or EirGrid.
The next step will be to bring legislation and supporting regulations to the Oireachtas.
The government has approved new guidelines that pave the way for wind and solar farms to connect directly to energy users, bypassing the ESB and EirGrid network.
These new private wire rules mark a significant shift in connection policy, which until now had been tightly controlled by the ESB and EirGrid.
Many other countries already permit such private connections, and Ireland is now following suit.
According to the Government, the new rules are expected to unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly in renewable energy generation and storage. They will also support the rollout of low-cost electric vehicle charging solutions and expand opportunities for businesses to self-supply their electricity needs.
Circumstances
Private wires will only be able to be installed under four circumstances:
Direct supply between a generator and a user: a wind or solar farm will be allowed to connect directly to an electricity customer, such as a factory aiming to decarbonise. In some cases, this can be faster and more efficient than having both parties connect separately to the national grid.Shared grid connections: a generator (e.g., a solar or wind farm) may share its grid connection with another generator or battery installation owned by a different company. Previously, this arrangement could have breached rules prohibiting private lines.Electric vehicle charging: private lines will be permitted where they are needed to enable on-street EV charging.Neighbouring self-supply: a business that generates its own electricity may supply a neighbouring customer, provided the connection does not cross land owned by a third party.Opportunities
The new rules could unlock sites that were previously ruled out due to grid constraints. For example, if a landowner has property next to a large energy user, they may now be able to develop a wind or solar farm and connect directly to that customer.
While such projects are not straightforward, some farmers are actively pursuing these kinds of developments but had been unable to move forward until this legislation was in place.
If a private wire is proposed to cross a landowner’s property, the landowner will also now have significantly more bargaining power than they would with infrastructure installed by ESB or EirGrid.
The next step will be to bring legislation and supporting regulations to the Oireachtas.
SHARING OPTIONS