Delivering a cleaner energy future

Find out about Shaping Dublin’s Electricity Future Find out about our national roadmap

How does the grid work?

What does EirGrid do?

EirGrid operates and develops Ireland’s electricity grid. This includes interconnecting to neighbouring grids and running the wholesale electricity market. We ensure that everyone has power when they need it, at the most economic price possible.

The grid safely brings power from generators to the ESB network that supplies every home, farm, community and business in Ireland. It also brings power directly to large energy users.

As we look to the future, we are making the grid ready to deliver a cleaner energy future for all of us.

Why is EirGrid important to climate change?

What needs to change

Ireland needs more energy, and it needs to be clean. EirGrid will play a key role to achieve this, but we’ll need to strengthen the grid to make it possible.

This means more pylons, more overhead lines, more substations, and more underground cables. We need your support for these projects.

Shaping Dublin’s Electricity Future

In 2021, EirGrid undertook a consultation process called Shaping Our Electricity Future. This process identified what was needed to prepare our electricity grid for the future. Following a wide-ranging consultation process, which included traditional and innovative ways of listening and engaging with people, we published a roadmap to shape Ireland's electricity future.

Powering Up Dublin stems from this roadmap and, with your participation, will help shape Dublin's electricity future.

With a growing population and an increase in energy usage, we need to replace older power cables to future proof our needs as our society and economy grows and develops. In the coming months, we will be sharing our plans for Dublin and asking for your feedback.

Learn more about Shaping Dublin’s Electricity Future

Your Questions

What does a System Alert mean?

When EirGrid issues a System Alert (previously an Amber Alert) there is no immediate impact for users of electricity. Instead, a System Alert warns of the potential for temporary electricity supply issues in the near future, so that our expert engineers and those in the wider electricity sector can take pre-planned actions to protect the integrity of the grid. It is a signal for all generators of electricity to make their facility available for use and not to put their facility at any risk of tripping. A System Alert often passes off without incident once a sufficient buffer between electricity supply and demand is restored.

Find out more about grid alerts

Are overhead wires a health risk?

Tell me more about community benefit schemes?

Why can’t we put everything underground?

“ When your grandkids ask what you did to save the planet, will you be able to tell them that you actually did something? ”

How can I help?

Ireland is going to need more electricity, and it must be clean. EirGrid needs your support to help us get there. Take our climate change quiz to measure how green you are, and to discover your tailored climate action tips.

Let's get started!