Rhonda Doyle, Country President, Schneider Electric Ireland.
“Ireland’s new ‘Private Wires Policy’ marks a crucial step in driving digital growth while safeguarding the nation’s energy future. By easing pressure on the national grid and accelerating renewable adoption, it will strengthen Ireland’s appeal for global tech and AI investment.
“The energy landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by surging demand, the expansion of energy-intensive industries such as data centres, and the rising adoption of distributed energy resources like electric vehicles, solar power, and battery storage. EirGrid forecasts a 45% surge in electricity demand by 2034, increasing the risk of outages, disruption, and delays to housing and infrastructure projects.
“With this new policy, companies can build direct power lines from renewable sources to high-demand sites. These connections can be one-to-one or hybrid models, enabling faster deployment, lower emissions, and less reliance on the central grid.
“We’ve seen organisations gain far greater control over their energy use when they leverage digital solutions such as smart energy management systems. This is crucial to maximising operational efficiency and accelerating the transition to a more decentralized, resilient energy system, ultimately powering robust economic growth and long-term prosperity in Ireland.”
