Press release

Minister O'Brien secures government approval for new 'Private Wires' policy to unlock private investment in electricity infrastructure

From: Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
Published on: 15 July 2025
Last updated on: 15 July 2025

New policy marks a significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure

Minister O'Brien has today (Tuesday, 15 July) secured government approval for a new policy on 'Private Wires'. This is a significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure which will unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly renewable generation and storage. It will also facilitate the provision of low-cost charging solutions for Electric Vehicles and expand opportunities for self-supply of electricity.

At present, only ESB Networks can own a line that brings electricity from a generator to an electricity customer. Following an extensive consultation exercise with industry stakeholders, the government has decided that, in future, private investors will be able to build and own such line in the following circumstances:

A direct connection between a generator, for example a wind farm or solar farm, and an electricity customer, perhaps a factory that wants to decarbonise. There are situations where this is quicker and more efficient than having both parties connect to the grid;
A wind farm or solar farm owned by one company will be able to share a grid connection with another generator or a battery installation owned by another firm. Previously this could have breached the rules prohibiting private lines;
Private lines will be allowed where they are the solution to allow on street charging of electric vehicles; and
To allow a firm that self-supplies electricity to provide electricity to a neighbouring customer where the line does not have to cross land owned by a third party

Minister O'Brien said:

"This is a very significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure. I, and officials in my department, are now focused on the next steps – to implement this policy. Primary legislation – to amend the Electricity Regulation Act allowing for Private Wires – will be enacted. I will bring the General Scheme of this legislation to government in the autumn. Supporting regulations – to define standards and processes for granting permission for Private Wires – will be adopted. I will also ensure that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities [CRU] is resourced – to take on this significant new area of regulation.

"My department [of Climate, Energy and the Environment] will continue to monitor industry developments – around the emerging concept of green energy parks to identify any future need for further liberalisation."

This reform follows on from a consultation process on Private Wires. A total of 128 responses were received form a wide range of individuals and groups. In July 2024, the Department published a summary report of the results of the consultation exercise.

In parallel with the publication of the consultation results in July 2024, the government approved a set of guiding principles for the development of the final Private Wires Policy. The statement on guiding principles sets out that the new Private Wires Policy will aim to unlock private sector resources to build new electricity infrastructure, by expanding the right of private undertakings to connect supply directly with demand.

The new policy statement on Private Wires is available on the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment's website.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

Guiding principles for the new Private Wires Policy

The statement on guiding principles sets out that the new Private Wires Policy will aim to unlock private sector resources to build new electricity infrastructure, by expanding the right of private undertakings to connect supply directly with demand.

The statement sets out that any expansion of the right of private developers to build Private Wires will be guided by the following policy considerations:

The National Electricity Grid is a crucial piece of national infrastructure and will remain in public ownership
The objective of any change is to accelerate the deployment of renewable generation and storage
Any change must serve other policy objectives including security of supply, the offshore wind strategy, the hydrogen strategy, industrial policy, and the national climate objective
The National Electricity Grid will remain the preferred way to connect generators and customers of electricity. Where grid-based solutions are available these will be preferred to Private Wires.
Private Wires cannot undermine the financing of the National Electricity Grid. Those entities with a Private Wire must pay the full cost of the service they have sought from, or that is provided to them, by the National Electricity Grid
Private Wires will be built to the same technical and safety standards as the National Electricity Grid and will be capable of being taken in charge by the System Operators
Private Wires will not be permitted to undermine the efficient development of the National Electricity Grid such as by way of land sterilization.
Private Wires will have to be developed with the consent of local communities and landowners. Private Wire developers will not have wayleave or other powers to use land.