Published: Wed, 17 December 2025
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MEP for Ireland South and Leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament, Seán Kelly, has today welcomed the Commission for Regulation of Utilities’ (CRU) final determination on Price Review 6 (PR6), describing it as a crucial step in ensuring Ireland keeps pace with the scale of grid investment now being pursued across Europe.
Mr Kelly noted that the CRU decision comes on the same day that the European Parliament debated the new EU Grids Package, a debate which he led on behalf of the EPP Group, having worked throughout 2025 to place grid modernisation and expansion at the centre of Europe’s climate and competitiveness agenda.
“Across Europe, there is a growing recognition that our outdated electricity grids are now the main bottleneck holding back decarbonisation, electrification and competitiveness. Today’s PR6 plan is welcome, as it shows that Ireland understands this challenge and is prepared to invest at the scale required.”
PR6 provides the framework for up to €18.9 billion of investment in Ireland’s electricity infrastructure between 2026 and 2030, supported by a €3.5 billion Government equity commitment under the National Development Plan.
Mr Kelly said this investment is essential if Ireland is to remain competitive in a rapidly changing European economy.
“Ensuring our electricity infrastructure is fit for purpose is essential for a competitive, net-zero economy. Investing properly in our grid now will better enable us to manage transition to an economy with higher levels of electrification and new sources of demand, powered by indigenous Irish renewable energy. Today’s announcement complements the ambitious measures on Grid we are working on currently at EU-level.”
Mr. Kelly said that PR6 will support the connection of new homes and businesses, reduce curtailment of renewable energy, strengthen system resilience, and prepare the network for increased variable renewables, electric vehicles and heat pumps, all of which are central to lowering energy costs over time.
Mr Kelly stressed that the investment framework must now be matched by delivery.
“Today in Parliament, I made the point clearly that ambition without delivery is meaningless. Ireland has put the investment framework in place through PR6. The priority now is to ensure the planning system allows this infrastructure to be delivered at pace.”
Concluding, Mr Kelly said PR6 places Ireland firmly within the wider European push to modernise electricity grids as a foundation for climate action and competitiveness.
“Europe is moving fast on grids because it has to. PR6 will help ensure that Ireland is not left behind.”
