Private Wires Bill must be climate‑proofed, committee warns

Call to assess legislation for impact on emissions and household electricity bills amid concerns about benefits for large energy users, such as data centres

The committee has raised concerns that large energy users such as data centres could connect outside of public networks while still depending on it as a back-up, which could increase emissions and shift costs to households and small businesses. File picture: Getty Images

Private wires legislation must be climate-proofed and analysed for the impact it will have on household energy bills, an Oireachtas committee has said.

The Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy has made almost 50 recommendations on the Private Wires Bill, which the Government says will accelerate investment in electricity infrastructure.