Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA)

Overview

As Ireland's electricity system continues to evolve, increasing amounts of renewable generation and growing electricity demand require greater flexibility across the network.

The National Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA) is a new European requirement that helps identify where, when and how much flexibility will be needed across Ireland's electricity system over the coming years.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible for preparing and publishing Ireland's National FNA. The assessment is developed using analysis provided by ESB Networks, as Ireland's Distribution System Operator (DSO), and EirGrid, as Ireland's Transmission System Operator (TSO), in accordance with an ACER-approved methodology used across Europe.

The first National FNA focuses on the target years 2028 and 2030 and will help inform future planning for electricity system flexibility.

FNA Zone Demand Overview

The following map outlines the forecasted energy capacity (MW) and energy demand (MWh) of 26 network zones in Ireland by 2028 and 2030.

Flexibility Needs Assessment Zone Demand Map

Read the full Flexibility Needs Assessment

The full National FNA report is available on the Commission for Regulation of Utilities website.

Woman climbing hill with wind turbine and island in the background

Why Flexibility Matters

Flexibility is the ability of the electricity system to respond to changes in electricity supply and demand.

As more renewable generation, electric vehicles, heat pumps and other low-carbon technologies connect to the electricity system, flexibility becomes increasingly important in helping to balance electricity supply and demand efficiently.

Flexibility can help to:

Maximise the use of renewable electricity.
Reduce reliance on fossil fuel generation.
Improve security of electricity supply.
Manage network constraints more efficiently.
Support the transition to a low-carbon electricity system.

Flexibility can be delivered through a range of technologies and services, including demand response, energy storage and smart network solutions.

What the FNA Tells Us

The National Flexibility Needs Assessment provides evidence on where flexibility is expected to be needed across Ireland's electricity system over the coming years.

The assessment considers:

System-level flexibility requirements: Identifies the flexibility needed to help balance the electricity system and support the integration of renewable generation.
Distribution and transmission network flexibility needs: Assesses where flexibility can help manage network constraints and support the efficient operation of the electricity network.
Where and when flexibility may be required: Identifies the locations and time periods where flexibility is expected to be needed.
The scale and timing of future flexibility requirements: Estimates the indicative volume and timing of future flexibility requirements.
Existing and potential flexibility solutions: Considers the flexibility services and technologies that could help address future system and network needs.
Market barriers to non-fossil flexibility and the role of digitalisation: Examines barriers to greater participation in flexibility and the role digitalisation can play in enabling future flexibility.

For ESB Networks, the assessment provides valuable insights into where flexibility may help address local network constraints and support more efficient operation of the electricity distribution network as demand continues to grow.

How the Assessment Was Developed

The National Flexibility Needs Assessment is led by the CRU and developed in collaboration with ESB Networks and EirGrid using an ACER-approved methodology applied consistently across all EU Member States.

As Ireland's Distribution System Operator, ESB Networks contributes the distribution-level analysis by:

Identifying locations where flexibility may be required on the distribution network.
Assessing projected network constraints.

Identifying where flexibility could help manage local network congestion.

Quantifying flexibility needs by location, timing and scale.

EirGrid provides the transmission-level and system-level analysis. The CRU brings these analysis together to prepare and publish Ireland's National Flexibility Needs Assessment.

What Happens Next

The findings of the National Flexibility Needs Assessment will:

Inform national planning for electricity system flexibility.
Support the implementation of the National Energy Demand Strategy.
Contribute to future policy and regulatory development for flexibility.
Contribute to wider European assessments of flexibility needs.

The National Flexibility Needs Assessment will be repeated every two years to reflect changes in Ireland's electricity system and support ongoing planning for a secure, resilient and low-carbon electricity network.

Supporting Ireland's Energy Transition

ESB Networks is committed to enabling Ireland's transition to a low-carbon electricity system.

Through our role as Ireland's Distribution System Operator, we continue to develop the electricity network to support increasing levels of renewable generation, electrification and customer participation in flexibility services.

The insights provided through the National Flexibility Needs Assessment will help inform future network planning and contribute to the continued development of a smarter, more flexible electricity system that supports Ireland's climate and energy ambitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA)?

The FNA is a national study that estimates how much flexibility Ireland's electricity system will need in the years ahead -looking specifically at 2028 and 2030 in this first assessment. It identifies how much is needed, where, and when, across both the national grid and local networks.

Why is it being done and is it required by law?

As Ireland connects more renewable generation and electrifies heat and transport, the system has to cope with more variable conditions. The FNA provides an evidence base to plan for this, and it is now a legal requirement for every EU member state.

Yes. It is carried out under Article 19e of the EU's revised Electricity Market Regulation. Every member state must assess and publish its flexibility needs at least every two years.

Who carried out the assessment?

The assessment was adopted and published by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Ireland's energy regulator. The detailed analysis was carried out by the two system operators -EirGrid for the transmission system and ESB Networks for the distribution system.

Is this a procurement exercise?

No. Publishing the FNA does not mean flexibility is being bought, and it is not a signal to build assets in any particular place. It simply shows where ESB Networks has a flexibility need and where it does not; any future procurement would follow separately.

What is ESB Network’s role?

As the distribution system operator, ESB Networks assessed flexibility needs on the local network, identifying where and when particular areas and stations are expected to face constraints. This work fed into the national assessment coordinated by the CRU.

Is every country doing this the same way?

Broadly, yes. The assessment follows a common methodology developed at EU level and approved by the EU energy regulator, ACER, so that flexibility needs are measured consistently and comparably across member states.

What is ACER and what role does it play?

The European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has developed a common methodology for assessing flexibility needs. This provides a consistent approach that electricity network operators across Europe can use when carrying out Flexibility Needs Assessments.

How often will the FNA be updated?

At least every two years. This first assessment will be refreshed in 2028 to reflect how the system has changed, with flexibility needs expected to evolve over time.

Where can I find out more?

The full Flexibility Needs Assessment report is published by the CRU.

Do you have further queries?

If you would like more information pertaining to the ESB Networks elements of the Flexibility Needs Assessment, please contact flexibilityengagement@esbnetworks.ie

If you would like to learn more about flexibility opportunities or future developments, please contact the ESB Networks team.

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