Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on climate, environment and energy, Malcolm Byrne, has argued that the Government’s forthcoming Private Wires Bill is Ireland's best chance to capture electricity currently being squandered.

The Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy was told that 13% of wind power generated last year could not be used because of congestion and other grid challenges, with the lost energy estimated to have cost consumers €450 million.

Speaking on the issue, Deputy Byrne said: "With increasing energy pressure due to instability and uncertainty in the Middle East, it is unacceptable that such a vast amount of energy already generated on this island is going to waste.

"The best shot Ireland has at capturing this wasted energy is by continuing the Government’s investment in strengthening the grid while also making more immediate use of available power by enabling private sector participation through the Private Wires Bill.

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"This bill will allow private developers to build and own electricity lines in certain circumstances, connecting energy generation directly to local demand.

"By doing this we can relieve pressure on the existing grid and get more electricity to households and businesses instead of letting it go to waste."

With households facing pressure from volatile global energy markets, Byrne said the legislation should be treated as critical and fast-tracked.

He added: "With global energy supply lines under pressure due to instability in the Middle East, Ireland needs to make better use of the energy we already have. We have legislation currently before committee that can fix the leaks in our electricity system and prevent unnecessary waste.

"Ireland must reclaim our energy sovereignty and this bill will help achieve that."

Private wires are lines that are both built and owned by private operators. Under current law, ESB Networks is the designated Transmission Asset Owner and owns the entire onshore electricity grid, making it the only entity permitted to own lines between a generator and an electricity customer. In December, the Government approved the drafting of the Private Wires Bill, which would enable private developers to construct and own electricity lines in defined circumstances, directly linking generation with local demand to ease pressure on the existing grid.