An Independent TD is bringing forward legislation that could allow small entities such as shopping centres and community groups to run their own electricity networks independent of the National Grid.
Barry Heneghan, a TD for Dublin Bay North, was set to introduce the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 in the Dáil on Wednesday afternoon.
His Private Members’ Bill would allow the establishment of “private wires” networks throughout the State. Typically, these networks derive power from renewable energy sources and the energy is distributed and shared within a closed group and using batteries for energy storage. The network is not connected to the National Grid, operated by EirGrid.
This is the first Private Members’ motion tabled by Heneghan, who was elected to the Dáil for the first time in 2024 and is one of a number of Independent TDs who support the Government.
RM Block
The Government has itself published the draft of a private wires Bill at the end of 2025 but that is directed more towards large, industrial-scale use, such as private networks that would harness renewable energy for data centres.
At present, the National Grid is the only option for the vast majority of renewable energy sources that produce excess energy.
Private wires are used extensively in Scandinavia, where they are often set up in conjunction with district heating schemes. Some EU countries such as Austria have developed private wires networks over the past number of years, and have also developed an extensive network of energy communities, where small companies and householders can share and trade self-generated energy within their own locality.
Heneghan has said his Bill will address all kinds of private wires scenarios. He gave an example of a shopping centre with a full solar PV system on its roof. It could set up a private wires network that would supply electricity to all the shops in the centre. He also said that the legislation would provide for setting up networks in local settings, where renewable energy sources, especially solar, have become more accessible and affordable.
His reasons for putting forward the Bill, he said, were to come up with solutions that would make energy more affordable and accessible to householders. He said he was also looking at legislative solutions that would allow plug-in “balcony solar” panels to be used in Ireland. Retailer Lidl is selling a version of the micro energy generator at €299 but the Irish network is not set up to allow their use at present.
