Slow pace of delivery risks Ireland’s competitiveness, energy leaders warn

The annual energy conference will be held at the Clayton Hotel in Cork on Wednesday, September 9

Eoin Cassidy, Energy and Infrastructure Sector lead partner at Mason Hayes & Curran, said: 'Ireland has clear policy frameworks, but delays in planning and grid connections continue to stall investment decisions on the ground.' Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

Policy ambition is no longer the main barrier to Ireland’s energy transition, but slow infrastructure execution and delivery risks driving international investment elsewhere.

That is the warning facing more than 150 energy professionals at the Clayton Hotel in Cork next week. The annual energy conference, hosted by business law firm Mason Hayes & Curran, returns to the city on Wednesday, September 9, for the first time since 2023.

Dan O’Brien, chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, one of Ireland’s leading think tanks, will deliver the keynote address. He will analyse geopolitical headwinds, data centre growth and the economic imperative of a secure energy supply.

Eoin Cassidy, Energy & Infrastructure Sector lead partner at Mason Hayes & Curran, said: “Capital will flow where there is regulatory certainty. Ireland has clear policy frameworks, but delays in planning and grid connections continue to stall investment decisions on the ground. 

"Alignment between State agencies, market operators and private investors, as well as appropriate incentivisation, can remove barriers and facilitate development of viable projects which are critical to Ireland’s energy transition and security."

The conference programme examines how policy and regulation can create workable frameworks for infrastructure delivery across electricity, gas, digital and port networks. Panellists will outline concrete measures underway to accelerate execution. 

The Port of Cork Company is constructing quay walls and assembly space at Cork Harbour for offshore wind deployment. EirGrid is deploying parallel planning processes and early procurement to speed up transmission build-out. 

Meanwhile, developers are progressing energy parks and co-locating battery storage to maximise existing grid capacity.

Legal experts from Mason Hayes & Curran will also brief attendees on recent developments in grid connection policy and planning law.