This marks the first new substation to be energised under ESB Network’s Price Review 6 (PR6) investment programme (2026 – 2030) and is one of thirty new 110kV substations included in the programme.
PR6 is the largest investment in the electricity network in Ireland's history and will see the delivery of more than 500 major capital projects to meet growing electricity demand across housing, transport and industry, and will support Ireland's transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Located near Portarlington, the commissioning of Bracklone 110 kV Substation, following a three-year construction period, marks a significant milestone in the delivery of PR6. Providing almost three times the capacity of the infrastructure it replaces, the new substation will benefit approximately 13,000 customers across the wider Co. Laois and Midlands region, supporting new customer connections, while meeting growing demand for electricity from homes, farms and businesses.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Darragh O'Brien TD said: "I am delighted to officially open Bracklone 110kV Substation, the first to be energised under PR6 and a significant addition to the electricity network in Co. Laois and the wider Midlands region. A modern and resilient electricity network is essential to delivering new housing, supporting local enterprise and ensuring Ireland remains an attractive place to invest and grow.
"This project is an important example of the €18.9 billion investment being made across the electricity network over the next 5 years to ensure the infrastructure is in place to meet growing demand for electricity, support regional development and strengthen Ireland's long-term energy security. This €18.9 billion is the largest investment in the electricity grid in Irish history which is essential to ensure that we can accommodate more renewable electricity generation on our grid, as we transition to an electrified and sustainable energy future."
Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director of ESB Networks, said: “The delivery of Bracklone is an early and important signal of the pace and scale of delivery now underway across ESB Networks as part of PR6. This investment is about strengthening the electricity network so that it can meet the needs of customers today, while also creating the capacity required for growth, electrification and a cleaner energy future.
“For customers across Co. Laois and the wider Midlands, Bracklone will provide a more resilient and future-ready electricity supply, supporting homes, farms, businesses and local development for many years to come. I want to acknowledge the commitment of our ESB Networks teams and delivery partners, whose expertise and collaboration have brought this important project safely through to completion.”