Energy Resilience

A resilient energy system is one that can ensure a reliable, regular supply of energy and have contingency measures in place, in the event of a power failure. A renewables-based energy system, powered by wind and solar electricity, brings new challenges and will require new approaches to flexibility, stability and resilience, including batteries, interconnectors, demand response and skilled workforce development.[1]

To maintain our energy resilience, Ireland's electricity infrastructure needs upgrading, vegetation needs to be managed so it doesn’t interfere with our power supply and we need storage to withstand severe weather and meet rising demand. To do this Government has invested heavily into improving our Grid and Energy infrastructure with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Final Determination on Price Review 6 (PR6), PR6 sets out an investment of €18.9 billion in Ireland's energy infrastructure between 2026 and 2030 to support Government housing and climate targets, and delivery of the National Development Plan.

There is also new legislation addressing forestry impacts, and legislation to allow for private wires infrastructure. Key actions include widening forest corridors, replacing old poles, deploying battery storage, and balancing increased renewable generation with system stability to achieve national energy and climate goals.

The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be a critical piece of legislation supporting the protection of our electricity grid, safeguarding homes and businesses, and especially the most vulnerable members of our communities across the country, during the more frequent and destructive weather events we now face. The legislation will also standardise the requirements on foresters in relation to electricity infrastructure, providing certainty to both the network operator and landowners.

Grid Resilience - Beat the Peak Initiative

The "Beat the Peak" initiatives encourage homes and businesses to move their energy consumption away from times that put strain on the grid network, towards times of cleaner supply. This initiative is led by ESB Networks and it encourages homes and businesses to shift electricity usage away from peak demand times (evenings 5-7pm) to help stabilise the grid, reduce costs, and support cleaner energy.
People who sign up to ‘Beat the Peak’ initiatives are offered rewards for participation, especially during times of high strain or low renewable supply, through SMS alerts and apps for smart meter users. People are actively encouraged to reduce consumption during prompted "energy events," earning money or savings, and it involves both residential campaigns like 'Is This a Good Time?' and commercial schemes.

Learn more - Beat the Peak programme | ESB Networks

Winter Grid Resilience

In the aftermath of Storm Éowyn ESB developed a ESB Networks Winter 2025 Resilience Plan to enhance the resilience of the grid in the most vulnerable locations

Through the Winter 2025 Grid Resilience Plan, ESB is are investing in targeted upgrades to improve reliability, reduce outages, and ensure communities stay connected when it matters most.

Winter Resilience - Be Winter Ready

Ireland has experienced an increase in the number of severe weather events in recent years, so it pays to be prepared., Whether it’s preparing for a possible flood, checking your car is winter ready, or just knowing who your emergency contacts are in case you need them.!

The Be Winter Ready webpage will help you prepare for any eventuality, whether it’s an electricity outage due to a storm or any severe weather disruption.

Gas Resilience - Strategic Gas Reserve

We currently import around 80% of our gas from the UK through undersea pipelines. At present we have no emergency gas storage which leaves us vulnerable to disruption of supply. The development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy.

The emergency reserve will be in the form of a Floating Storage and Regassification Unit (FSRU), to be owned on behalf of the State by the system operator, Gas Networks Ireland (GNI). This is a similar approach to that used for oil security by the National Oil Reserves Agency (Nora).

The development of a State-led reserve in the form of an FSRU is consistent with Ireland's climate law. It is a transitional measure – reducing the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets, for emergency use only, and does not support increased gas demand. The Shannon Estuary has been announced as the location for Ireland’s Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve. Find out more about the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve | Gas Networks Ireland

Electricity Resilience - Energy Connectors

The role of interconnection will increase in importance as the renewable energy sector becomes a larger proportion of supply in the Irish and European electricity systems, both in relation to the import and the export of electricity. Proposed new interconnection developments, aligned with Ireland's growing renewable energy sector, will enable the State to transition from a net importer to a net exporter of electricity.

The Greenlink Interconnector - a 190km-long 500MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine power cable between EirGrid's Great Island substation in County Wexford, Ireland, and National Grid's Pembroke substation in Pembrokeshire, Wales was completed in April 2025.

In July 2023, the government published an ambitious 'National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection'. By 2030, Ireland will have re-established connectivity to mainland Europe through the Celtic Interconnector with France and envisages a further connection to Great Britain.

[1] Powering Ireland’s Energy Future