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 closed
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.
Consultation outcome
Consultants from Arup assisted the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with the analysis of the 128 responses to the consultation. Arup were tasked with reviewing and summarising these with the objective of extracting information which will assist with the development of Ireland’s electricity storage policy framework.
Arup have produced the following report which provides their summary of responses to the consultation, along with an accompanying appendix containing all responses to the consultation.
128 responses were received from a wide variety of individuals and groups including:
- Industry associations, such as Wind Energy Ireland, Irish Solar Energy Association
- System operators, such as ESB Networks, Eirgrid
- Private energy developers
- Individual citizens
Private Wires Public Consultation Summary Report - Appendix A
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Following on from the outcome of the public consultation, government is publishing a set of guiding principles to assist with the development of the final Private Wires Policy. In accordance with Climate Action Plan 24 a final policy is due by the end of 2024.
The Private Wires Policy will aim to unlock private sector resources to build new electricity infrastructure by expanding the rights of private undertakings to connect supply directly with demand. The principles, while not making changes today, will guide any changes which are to come and provide guidance to the public as to the direction of travel in respect of this key area, while reiterating the central role the national electricity grid will continue to play in the electricity system.
The intention is that by allowing "Private Wires", we will see an accelerated investment in new electricity infrastructure to include renewable generation and storage, which will ultimately benefit the whole electricity system.