New housing developments in parts of Dublin may face delays due to power grid constraints similar to those affecting 80 families in Portlaoise who cannot move into homes they have purchased.
ESB Managing Director Nicholas Tarrant told an Oireachtas committee that there is “limited capacity” on the electrical network in north and west Dublin, partly due to rapid population growth in those areas.
The warning comes as families in Portlaoise’s Sandwood estate face delays until December or later before moving into their new homes due to grid constraints. Tarrant cited capacity issues at the local substation as the reason for the ongoing delays.
Speaking to the Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy, Tarrant highlighted areas with significant population growth over the past decade, noting Portlaoise experienced over 16% population growth between 2011 and 2022 censuses.
The ESB chief outlined a €13.4 billion capital investment programme over the next five years to reinforce the network and accommodate continuing growth. He acknowledged the “considerable uncertainty and stress” for affected families and encouraged developers to engage with the ESB at early stages of planning.
When asked whether data centres in the Midlands were pressuring the grid and if housing should take priority over the expanding data centre sector, Tarrant said developments must be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Any decision to prioritize housing would require government policy or energy regulator intervention.
The grid constraints highlight infrastructure challenges facing Ireland’s housing development amid rapid population growth.