The Irish government has approved a groundbreaking “Private Wires” policy, allowing private investors to build and own direct electricity connections from renewable generators to end users like factories or data centres. This marks a significant shift from the current system, where only ESB Networks may own such lines. The reform aims to unlock private investment in grid infrastructure, enhance efficiency, lower the cost of electric vehicle charging, and expand opportunities for local self supply of electricity

This decision follows an extensive consultation process that attracted 128 contributions from industry stakeholders.

• The policy permits private wires under four specific circumstances:
• A direct connection between a generator and a customer.
• Sharing of infrastructure between generators or with battery installations.
• Enabling cost effective on street EV charging.
• Allowing a self supplying firm to deliver electricity to a neighbouring customer without crossing third party land.

Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment Darragh O’Brien described the reform as “a very significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure.” He outlined the next steps: introducing primary legislation to amend the Electricity Regulation Act in autumn, establishing supporting regulations to define technical standards and permission processes, and ensuring that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is properly resourced to oversee the new regulatory framework.

A guiding principles statement published simultaneously reinforces that the national grid will continue to be publicly owned and remain the default connection method. The private wires initiative is intended primarily to accelerate the deployment of renewables and storage, support broader policy goals such as energy security, offshore wind, hydrogen, industrial policy, and climate targets, and must not impede efficient national grid development. Private wires must be built to the same technical and safety standards as the public grid, be capable of eventual takeover by system operators, and cannot impose compulsory access rights over third party land; community and landowner consent is essential.

In effect, this framework paves the way for faster, more efficient, and lower cost solutions across a range of applications—from industrial decarbonisation efforts to EV charging infrastructure and local shared micro grids. It builds on previous steps, including a public consultation in mid 2024 and the publication of supporting principles, and is expected to unfold into full legislation and regulation through autumn 2025 and into 2026–27. These changes are designed to enhance Ireland’s green energy infrastructure, speed up renewables deployment, and boost competitiveness in sectors such as data centres, manufacturing, and housing development.