A secure supply of our own energy – Minister Ryan welcomes new plan for the national grid

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today welcomed EirGrid 25, the strategy from the state-owned transmission system operator. EirGrid 25 sets out the roadmap for Ireland’s electricity transmission network for the next seventeen years.

EirGrid will double the capacity of the national grid by 2025. Investment of €4 billion in the infrastructure will allow for major increases in the amounts of renewable energy on the national grid.

Launching the strategy, Minister Ryan said, “Energy security is the central economic issue of our times. We need a secure supply of energy to cope with the projected 60% increase in demand. The upgrade of our grid will mean that citizens, businesses and international investors can be assured of the reliability of Ireland’s electricity supply. This is increasingly important in a world where we are competing for international investment.

As we head into uncertain energy times, it becomes of greater strategic significance that we untap our own energy supplies. Our wind and wave resources will provide the jobs, as well as the electricity, of the future.

Interconnection in this strategy will allow Ireland to link to the UK and wider European market.

I would like to commend EirGrid for this strategy which will see a national grid that can serve our energy and economic requirements. The investment in our regions and in this critical piece of State infrastructure will show Irish people from all over the country the benefits of a safe, secure and cleaner energy supply”

ENDS