EirGrid and European electricity transmission grid operators sign landmark pact for engagement to deliver energy infrastructure

EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, and several leading electricity transmission grid operators across Europe have come together to sign a landmark Pact for Engagement.

The pact was signed at the PCI Energy Days policy conference in Brussels this week.

The pact establishes a collective commitment to enhance citizen and community engagement in energy infrastructure projects, promoting trust, transparency, and inclusiveness as key pillars to support Europe’s energy transition and strengthen energy resilience.

Under this Pact for Engagement, European grid operators, including TenneT from the Netherlands and Amprion from Germany have established a set of guiding principles, including early involvement, education and awareness, transparency, meaningful engagement and local benefit sharing. 

The pact includes several examples of best practices from EirGrid.

Speaking at the signing in Brussels, EirGrid Chief Infrasturcture Officer Michael Mahon said: “Delivering grid infrastructure is critical in meeting our climate ambitions, and to do that we must work collaboratively. 

"Together, these principles reflect a shared commitment to building energy infrastructure in a manner that values and respects communities it impacts and at EirGrid we have already been putting these principles into practice.”

One such practice is EirGrid’s establishment of advisory councils to discuss views and concerns on a variety of issues which could impact on the successful delivery of grid infrastructure, including, social acceptance. 

The advisory councils bring together experts from academia, industry and research centres across Ireland. 

Commenting on the pact signing, EirGrid Head of Public Engagement and EU Commission Advisory Committee member Sinead Dooley said: “At EirGrid, we are committed to putting citizens and communities at the heart of our decision making. 

"And to reflect this we have put in place a number of key practices, including the establishment of community forums at the earliest step of project development, and the development of community benefit funds for those living nearest transmission grid development.”

As part of the pact, signatories pledge to provide early and transparent information about proposed projects and create opportunities for meaningful community input from the earliest stages.

Best practices already in place include extensive community consultations, educational programs to raise awareness about energy transition goals, and innovative benefit-sharing models that directly reinvest in local communities.