Wind Energy Ireland has welcomed the approval by Ireland's energy regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), of €13.8bn in investment in the country's electricity grid over the next five years under Price Review Six, while warning that the funding must be matched by strong political and public backing.

The investment, which will be delivered by EirGrid and ESB Networks, is aimed at modernising Ireland's electricity infrastructure and improving the integration of renewable energy. Wind Energy Ireland said the programme would help reduce the hundreds of millions of euro lost each year through curtailed wind power, while also strengthening the grid to meet future demand.

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Funding approved under the review includes measures to improve the resilience of the distribution network against extreme weather events, as well as upgrades that will support increased housing delivery and the electrification of transport, heating and industry.

Dave Linehan, Head of Policy and Research with Wind Energy Ireland, said: "This investment will help us to build an electricity grid fit for the 21st century. It will fund projects that will ensure a cleaner, more affordable and more secure supply of electricity for every family and business in Ireland."

However, the organisation stressed that financial approval alone would not guarantee delivery, pointing to previous infrastructure projects that failed to progress due to a lack of political and community support.

Mr Linehan continued: "Along with this investment must come political support, from every party and none, and backing from everyone in Ireland who wants a cleaner, more efficient and more independent energy system.

"Previous projects, like the North-South Interconnector, have been blocked or stalled because of a lack of support and we simply can’t allow that to happen again."