The semi-State company that builds Ireland\u2019s electricity grid has warned new rules drafted in Brussels could compound existing delays in connecting new homes.<\/p>\n
ESB Networks<\/a> is responsible for connecting newly built homes to the energy grid. Pressure on its services has delayed new housing projects, because developers are often waiting for ESB crews to connect properties to the electricity network.<\/p>\n The new \u201cMade in Europe<\/a>\u201d legislation, intended to give a leg-up to Europe\u2019s struggling manufacturing industry, could also inadvertently slow down Irish housing supply, its managing director warned Irish officials.<\/p>\n Internal correspondence, seen by The Irish Times, shows ESB Networks expressed concerns about EU<\/a> plans to require public money and State-funded projects to source materials from European suppliers.<\/p>\n Nicholas Tarrant, managing director of ESB Networks, told the Department of Public Expenditure<\/a> restrictions on its business and contracts \u201cwould represent a risk to our ability to build at the pace required to support housing, the economy and climate action\u201d.<\/p>\n The semi-State company, which supplies electricity and gas to homes and businesses, said the new European rules would put \u201crestrictions on our ability to procure equipment on a global basis\u201d. <\/p>\n Tarrant added that he supported the broad ambition to help European manufacturing. The July 1st email to civil servants was released in response to a Freedom of Information request. <\/p>\n ESB Networks flagged fears that proposed \u201cbuy European\u201d clauses in draft EU legislation would apply to materials it sources to build out the physical electricity grid, such as cables and electrical transformers. <\/p>\n The EU\u2019s 27 national governments have spent months arguing over the scope of a new law, the Industrial Accelerator Act. It would attach strings to future public funding for projects in certain \u201cstrategic\u201d sectors, requiring a percentage of money to flow to European suppliers and manufacturers.<\/p>\n