EirGrid launches public consultation on critical grid upgrade in Kildare and west Dublin
Until July 10th, stakeholders in Kildare and west Dublin will have the opportunity to have their say on the plans
EirGrid, operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, is putting communities at the heart of its work to deliver a more secure, renewable energy system.
As the State faces significant growth in energy demand, an unprecedented amount of infrastructure is set to be delivered across the country, ensuring a continued reliable supply of energy to our homes, businesses and communities.
“We at EirGrid have been tasked with delivering the most ambitious programme of work ever taken on the transmission system in Ireland,” says Sinéad Dooley, head of public engagement at EirGrid. “Strengthening our electricity infrastructure is essential to supporting the delivery of Government policy and targets in key areas such as housing, enterprise and industry, as well as bringing us closer to meeting our climate action targets for 80 per cent of our energy to come from renewable energy.” At the heart of plans to deliver this infrastructure is EirGrid’s commitment to engagement, ensuring that stakeholders are part of the journey to delivering grid infrastructure.
This dedication to listening to the communities hosting infrastructure work can be seen in the latest stage of the Kildare Dublin Grid Reinforcement Project. With energy demand in this area increasing, this project is critical in meeting the projected growth in this area, which is being driven by several factors, such as residential housing, commercial and industrial development, and the electrification of heat and transportation.
The project will include a new 220/110kV substation near the south Dublin/East Kildare border at Steelstown and a new 220/110kV substation near Hynestown, as well as associated cables linking the new stations to Maynooth, Inchicore and Carrickmines substations.
In May 2025 EirGrid consulted with local communities and stakeholders on the preferred zones to locate sites for the construction of two new substations, and the feedback collected during that consultation is being taken into consideration as the appropriate sites are being determined.
EirGrid is now asking the public to give their feedback on plans for the available technology options for a circuit required to connect a proposed substation in Steelstown to an existing substation in Carrickmines. This will allow power to be taken from the transmission system and distributed to homes, schools and businesses across Kildare and west Dublin.
Until July 10th, stakeholders in this region will have the opportunity to have their say on the plans for this phase of the project by making submissions online or by post. Several public information events will also take place, where those interested can speak to EirGrid representatives and learn more about the proposals. The events will be held at the following times and locations:
- Wednesday, June 3rd, 12–8pm at Ballyboden Wanderers GAA Club, Frank Kelly Park, Mount Venus Road, Cruagh, Co Dublin
- Thursday, June 4th, 12–8pm at Rathcoole Community Centre, Main Street, Rathcoole, Co Dublin
- Wednesday, June 10th, 12–8pm at Thomas Davis GAA Club, Kiltipper Road, Tallaght, Co Dublin
- Thursday, June 11th, 12–8pm at Samuel Beckett Civic Campus, Ballyogan Court, Ballyogan, Co Dublin
“Before we develop or upgrade the grid, we work with those that may be affected by our plans, as we recognise that none of this work can be done without the collaboration of communities,” Dooley says. “This feedback, alongside technical studies being carried out by EirGrid, will help guide how we move forward with this project in a way that works best for everyone.
“We also look forward to sharing details of the associated Community Benefit Fund later in the process, recognising the role of communities in hosting this important grid infrastructure upgrade.”
This project is just one of many being delivered to reinforce the transmission network over the next five years. EirGrid will develop and deliver 381 transmission infrastructure projects across the country in partnership with Networks.
These include the Powering Up Dublin Programme, which will see the installation of 50km of underground cables in the capital and the Celtic Interconnector, a subsea cable between Ireland and France which will power 450,000 homes once delivered in spring 2028.
This unprecedented ambition requires unprecedented investment and accelerated delivery, and in late 2025 EirGrid welcomed the final determination of the 6 investment, approving its planned investment to strengthen and build out the electricity grid.
“The Kildare Dublin Grid Reinforcement Project will improve electricity capacity in one of the fastest growing regions in the country, supporting local growth in housing, transportation and employment, while also helping the country reach its renewable energy targets.
“I would encourage members of the public and local stakeholders to have their say and attend one of our information events to learn more about this project and the benefits it will bring to the region, and to have their say in how we deliver a more secure energy system.” To learn more and have your say, visit eirgrid.ie
