Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Final Determination on Price Review 6 (PR6), covering 2026 to 2030. PR6 sets expenditure by EirGrid and ESB Networks in five-year cycles and establishes a transformative framework for Ireland’s energy infrastructure, enabling historic investment of up to €18.9 billion to support the growing population and drive economic development.
The programme includes an unprecedented €3.5 billion government equity investment in electricity infrastructure, as outlined in the revised National Development Plan. This week, €1.5 billion will be transferred to ESB to fund onshore electricity infrastructure over the next five years. The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 2025 provides the legal mechanism for the investment, and the Minister will receive quarterly reports to ensure strong oversight and accountability for the PR6 investment programme.
Energy infrastructure under PR6 is critical to housing, industrial growth, digitalisation, and climate action. The investment will expand network capacity to accommodate more renewable energy generation and improve grid resilience against extreme weather events. Minister O’Brien highlighted that this period represents the most significant development of Ireland’s energy infrastructure since rural electrification and will deliver long-term cost benefits to households by supporting home-grown renewables and reducing dependence on international gas markets.
The PR6 programme will facilitate the connection of up to 300,000 new homes by 2030 and support electrification of public transport, including preparation for MetroLink. It will upgrade and strengthen the electricity network to withstand climate-related challenges, increase capacity for growing electricity demand from homes and businesses, and support the roll-out of up to 1 million electric vehicles and significant heat pump adoption.
Overall, PR6 aims to modernize and strengthen Ireland’s national grid infrastructure, enabling EirGrid and ESB Networks to connect new homes and businesses efficiently, reduce energy costs for consumers, and enhance grid resilience. The programme will also accelerate the development of renewable energy, both onshore and offshore, and support major public transport projects, ensuring Ireland’s energy system meets future economic, social, and climate needs.
