EirGrid, SONI and NESO agree a new Memorandum of Understanding in Cork to deepen collaboration on renewables integration, system resilience and energy security across the islands.

The electricity transmission system operators for Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain have reinforced their partnership with a fresh agreement aimed at speeding up the decarbonisation of their grids and achieving net zero power systems.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed on Thursday evening in Cork by EirGrid, the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) and the National Energy System Operator (NESO), commits the organisations to closer collaboration and knowledge-sharing on operating networks with high proportions of renewable generation.

As well as technical co-operation, the MoU sets out joint work to better understand the rising demand from major energy users such as ports and data centres as industries electrify, alongside shared future modelling and scenario planning to strengthen resilience across the three systems.

The announcement came as Taoiseach Micheál Martin and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasised energy security between Ireland and the United Kingdom during a summit in the city. Signed by NESO's Fintan Slye, EirGrid's Cathal Marley and SONI's Alan Campbell, the agreement builds on a partnership framework established in 2024 and underscores the role of energy co-operation in bolstering economic security. It follows recent commitments by both governments to deepen collaboration on the clean energy transition, offshore renewables and electricity interconnection.

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Chief Executive of Ireland's EirGrid, Cathal Marley, said: "EirGrid, SONI and NESO face similar challenges and opportunities as we seek to decarbonise our grids while supporting social and economic growth. We already work closely together, and this Memorandum of Understanding, that builds on the one we signed in August 2024, seeks to formalise and grow those relationships. Beyond the shared learning on technical issues and innovation we can also benefit from sharing our experiences around building infrastructure and the importance of stakeholder engagement and social acceptance in our delivery."

Chief Executive of SONI, the System Operator for Northern Ireland, Alan Campbell, said: "As electricity transmission system operators, we all face shared challenges and opportunities in managing grids integrating high levels of renewables on the road to clean power. This agreement will deepen further the collaboration, knowledge sharing and best practice exchanges between our organisations. In strengthening this strategic partnership, we can accelerate the integration of renewables and support the delivery of secure, net zero power for consumers. We look forward to continuing to collaborate closely with EirGrid and NESO on this critical journey."

Chief Executive of Britain's NESO Fintan Slye said: "I'm proud to be back in Ireland to sign this important agreement with our neighbours, strengthening our cooperation on sharing knowledge and expertise on our transition to renewable based electricity grids and the increasing demand from industry that comes with electrification.

"Regional cooperation and effective electricity market trading arrangements between the players of the Single Electricity Market is vital for our collective energy security and I look forward to working closely with EirGrid and SONI as we continue our respective transitions to clean power."