Consultation
Private Wires Consultation
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Open for submissions from
Submissions closed
Last updated on
Consultation is being reviewed
As the electricity system evolves to accommodate greater levels of renewable generation and increased levels of demand, the need for electricity infrastructure to support this growth increases. Currently electricity infrastructure is provided for by the national electricity grid, under the ownership of the ESB. Private Wires, which entails private undertakings installing, operating, and owning private electricity infrastructure, provides a potential off-grid solution for the generation and supply of electricity.
Private Wires, which encompasses Private Lines and Private Networks, can mean different things to different people, and will vary from project to project, however there are a number of similar characteristics to include:
- They only relate to electricity infrastructure
- They are privately owned, operated, and maintained, that is, outside of the control the ESB, a subsidiary thereof, or EirGrid
- They can relate to the generation of electricity for self-supply or the generation of electricity for sale or onwards distribution
- They do not utilise the national electricity grid for the transfer of electricity; and
- They can be at either Transmission or Distribution level
Electricity infrastructure will underpin the sectors’ ability over the years to come to meet its climate targets, carbon budgets, connect the required renewable generation assets and support increased levels of demand. It is recognised that there are currently numerous challenges in building electricity grid infrastructure, both in Ireland and internationally. As such and in order to accelerate the delivery of the electricity sectors climate targets we must examine the potential of off-grid opportunities, such as Private Wires.
The aim of this consultation is to gather the views of the public, stakeholders and interested parties alike, to consolidate our understanding of the role which Private Wires may play in the future Irish electricity ecosystem, as well as identifying the challenges and opportunities such a policy change may present.
Responses will help inform the design and delivery of a Private Wires policy which will be launched in 2024.
Submissions with the subject ‘Private Wires Consultation’ should be sent by email to privatewires@decc.gov.ie or by post to:
Private Wires Consultation
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
29-31 Adelaide Road
Dublin
Ireland
D02 X285
The closing date for submissions has been extended to 5.30pm on Friday, 27 October 2023
We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. All submissions and feedback will be considered before the final version of the Private Wires policy is published.
Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Please also note that we intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.
We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.