New substations planed as part of energy upgrade for Kildare region
EirGrid Chief Financial Officer, Michael Behan (right) speaks about EirGrid’s financial strength while taking part in a panel discussion at the launch of the Group Strategy 2026.
CO KILDARE features heavily in an upcoming €18.9 billion programme of investment to strengthen Ireland’s electricity grid.
This massive investment will include two new substations, as well as a new underground electricity connection in the Kildare region.
EirGrid’s new Group Strategy 2026 sets out an ambitious roadmap to transform Ireland’s electricity grid from now until 2030.
Following regulatory approval of an €18.9 billion programme of investment to strengthen the electricity grid, a clear focus has been placed on building grid infrastructure at pace and at scale.
As part of the strategy, EirGrid has identified 29 priority projects to meet growing electricity demand, including the Kildare Dublin Reinforcement and the Kildare Meath Grid Upgrade.
The Kildare Dublin Reinforcement will see two new substations and associated cables in the region, while the Kildare Meath Grid Upgrade will add a high-capacity 400 kV underground electricity connection between Dunstown substation in Co Kildare and Woodland substation in Co Meath.
EirGrid claims that these projects will help deliver a continued consistent and reliable supply of electricity to homes, schools and businesses, while allowing more renewable energy to be integrated onto the grid.
Kildare native and EirGrid Chief Financial Officer, Michael Behan said: “A modern fit-for-purpose grid opens the country up to more possibilities. And both the Kildare Dublin Reinforcement and the Kildare Meath Grid Upgrade will support the development of the grid of the future, one that supports regional development, housing and economic growth.
"Our ambition is clear, to build and operate a grid that can power Ireland’s future. By delivering infrastructure at pace and at scale, we are not only supporting the energy transition, we are also supporting long-term social and economic progress in communities across Kildare.”
To deliver the strategy, EirGrid will significantly expand its workforce to deliver major programmes across the country.
Over the past five years, EirGrid has grown from a workforce of 500 to 1,500 and over the period of the strategy that will reach over 2,000.
Along with building capacity, strong emphasis has been put on collaboration in the development of the strategy, including meaningful collaboration with local communities.
Mr Behan added: “Over the next five years, EirGrid will work closely with Government, regulators, industry and communities to deliver an unprecedented level of investment in energy infrastructure, supporting national climate targets, while unlocking economic opportunity across the country.”
