Intelligence

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities has approved Grid Code modification MPID 345, introducing fault ride through, RoCoF and active power recovery requirements for transmission-connected demand facilities. Customers unable to comply must navigate a new Compliance and Derogation Framework, with data centres facing Demand Utilisation Thresholds that effectively limit their Maximum Import Capacity.

The European Union continues to refine its energy and climate regulatory framework through significant amendments to electricity market rules, methane emissions standards, and the Emissions Trading Scheme. Recent developments span critical infrastructure resilience, carbon border adjustments, and enhanced oversight of energy supply chains, reflecting the EU's commitment to achieving its 2040 emission reduction targets while maintaining market competitiveness.

The European Commission has proposed a new Regulation to future-proof electricity bills by reducing system costs and promoting electrification and digitalisation. The proposal introduces significant changes to network tariff structures, smart metering deployment targets, and taxation frameworks designed to incentivise flexible consumption patterns and support grid efficiency.

The Irish Government has secured approval for revisions to the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, legislation designed to accelerate district heating adoption across Ireland. Research indicates that waste heat from data centres and pharmaceutical plants could meet approximately 80% of Dublin's heat demand by 2050, potentially heating over 1 million homes through renewable and waste heat sources.

Ireland's RESS 6 renewable electricity support scheme introduces significant changes including NZIA compliance requirements, a new composite scoring methodology combining price, resilience and energy system integration factors, and technology-specific auction pots for wind and solar projects. The scheme will support successful projects until 2046, with stricter obligations around supply chain diversification, cybersecurity standards, and Public Service Obligation compliance compared to previous iterations.

European energy regulators and agencies have released new guidance and reports covering customer switching procedures, grid connection requirements, gas market decarbonisation strategies, and emissions trading system reforms. Key developments include amendments to security of supply regulations, tripartite agreements for energy storage capacity, and updated reporting requirements under the Governance Regulation for member states' national energy and climate plans.