Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 20 FEBRUARY 2025

CRU Sets Out Revised Grid Connection Pathway For Data Centres

William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP
Contributor
William Fry LLP

William Fry LLP

William Fry advises leading Irish and international companies, covering both the public and private...

View firm profile
Explore more from William Fry LLP

Demand for electricity in Ireland is due to rise sharply in the coming years, driven by LEUs, with rapidly growing electricity demand from data centres a key factor.

IrelandEnergy and Natural Resources
Fergus Devine
Fergus Devine
Máire O'Neill
Máire O'Neill
Liam McCabe
Liam McCabe
Author LinkedIn connections

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has published its proposed decision paper in relation to its Large Energy Users (LEUs) Connection Policy (the Proposed Decision).

Demand for electricity in Ireland is due to rise sharply in the coming years, driven by LEUs, with rapidly growing electricity demand from data centres a key factor. The proposed decision paper is delivered in the context of this projected demand growth and the CRU's concerns regarding the security of electricity supply in Ireland and Ireland's binding climate targets. The long-awaited Proposed Decision arrives after a 19-month review process by the CRU and is an important development for a data centre industry in vital need of clarity.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Energy Update: New Requirements For Transmission-connected Demand Facilities

Ireland's Commission for Regulation of Utilities is consulting on Grid Code modification MPID 345, which would impose new fault ride-through requirements on transmission-connected demand facilities, particularly data centres. The proposed compliance and derogation framework includes usage caps and curtailment procedures that could significantly impact customer operations and contractual entitlements under connection agreements.
IrelandEnergy and Natural Resources
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox
Article

Ireland’s Data Centre Connections: Back Online

Ireland has lifted its data centre connection moratorium and introduced a demanding new framework requiring developers to provide their own generation capacity, source 80% of electricity from new Irish renewables within six years, and meet strict grid stability requirements. The policy creates significant opportunities for developers who can navigate the complex intersection of grid connection, planning permission, and renewable energy procurement, though a pending legal challenge adds uncertainty to the la
IrelandEnergy and Natural Resources
William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP
Article

Energy Update: CRU Decision On New Requirements For Demand Customers (Fault Ride Through)

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.
IrelandEnergy and Natural Resources
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox
Article

Horizon Scanner: Energy Planning Infrastructure And Construction August 2026 - Energy And Infrastructure

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.
IrelandEnergy and Natural Resources
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox
Article

Energy Update: Direct Lines Bill

Ireland's Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 proposes significant reforms to the country's direct lines framework, removing restrictive barriers that have prevented private wire infrastructure development. The Bill would eliminate the grid-refusal precondition and establish new permitting criteria under the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, potentially unlocking opportunities for renewable energy deployment and alternative electricity supply arrangements.
IrelandEnergy and Natural Resources
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox
Article

Energy Legislation: What’s Moving This Autumn?

The Irish Government's Autumn 2026 Legislation Programme reveals an ambitious energy policy agenda spanning renewable heat obligations, private electricity wires, offshore grid financing, and district heating regulation. With multiple Bills progressing through the Oireachtas, businesses in the energy sector face significant compliance changes and new infrastructure opportunities that could reshape Ireland's electricity and gas markets.
European UnionEnergy and Natural Resources
William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP
Article

Ireland’s Data Centre Connections: Back Online

Ireland has lifted its data centre connection moratorium and introduced a demanding new framework requiring developers to provide their own generation capacity, source 80% of electricity from new Irish renewables within six years, and meet strict grid stability requirements. The policy creates significant opportunities for developers who can navigate the complex intersection of grid connection, planning permission, and renewable energy procurement, though a pending legal challenge adds uncertainty to the la
IrelandEnergy and Natural Resources
William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP
Article

Government Legislative Priorities For Autumn 2026

The Government has published its Autumn 2026 Legislation Programme, identifying 32 bills for priority publication and 32 bills for priority drafting. This article explores a selection of measures likely to be of interest to businesses, spanning digital economy, strategic infrastructure, litigation reform, financial regulation, competition law, corporate structures, employment, pensions, and healthcare sectors.
IrelandGovernment, Public Sector
William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP
Article

CBI Consults On Third-Party Risk

The Central Bank of Ireland has published a consultation paper proposing new guidance on managing third-party risks that extends beyond traditional outsourcing to encompass partnerships, joint ventures, and fintech collaborations. The proposed framework aligns with recent European Banking Authority guidelines and DORA, introducing a lifecycle-based approach with enhanced contractual provisions and broader scope than the 2021 guidance it will replace. Financial entities now face the challenge of identifying
IrelandFinance and Banking
William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP
Article

Time Running Out As AI Transparency Guidelines Published

The European Commission has published comprehensive guidelines on AI transparency obligations under Article 50 of the EU AI Act, with enforcement beginning August 2, 2026. These guidelines establish how organizations must disclose AI systems, mark synthetic content, label deepfakes, and demonstrate compliance, with significant penalties for non-compliance reaching up to €15 million or 3% of global turnover.
IrelandTechnology
William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP