Ireland

Getting Electricity in

Ireland

Below is a detailed summary of the procedures, time and cost required for a business to obtain an electricity connection for a newly constructed building in Ireland.

This information was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 185 economies. The most recent round of data collection was completed in June 2012.

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  • Standardized Company

  • Name of Utility: Electricity Supply Board (ESB)
  • City: Dublin

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No. Procedure Time to Complete Associated Costs
1 The client applies for electricity connection and awaits estimate of connection fees from Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks

The customer needs to hire a certified electrical contractor registered with one of the regulatory bodies, such as Electrical Contractors Safety & Standards Association Ltd (ECSSA) and Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland (RECI), to design and execute the internal wiring.

The client needs to first obtain an Ordnance Survey map (scale 1:2500-1:10560) that shows the location of their new premises, and a detailed site plan (scale 1:100-1:500) showing the new premises. Both of the above should be already available. Photocopies are acceptable.

The client then completes an ESB Networks Application Form number NC3.
Agency: Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks Ltd. 		18 calendar days no charge
* 2 The client obtains external inspection from Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks

After the completed application has been received, the client’s business and site details will be set up on ESB’s system. The client then receives an acknowledgement with a reference number.

Based on the information on the application form, ESB Networks will issue the client with a quotation and a connection agreement. This agreement includes:
• The Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) for the client’s new premises. This is a unique reference number that identifies the client’s connection point to the electricity network.
• The Maximum Import Capacity (MIC) of the new premises. The MIC equates to the contracted electricity capacity for the premises based on information provided to ESB Networks.
Agency: Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks Ltd. 		1 calendar day no charge
3 The client signs a Connection Agreement and awaits completion of external works from Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks

The customer mails their payment and connection agreement to ESB Networks Services Bureau. Check, postal order, and bank drafts, but no cash, are acceptable.
Once these have been received and the client has signed a Connection Agreement with the utility, ESB Networks can commence construction work on the electricity infrastructure required for the premises.
ESB Networks will also need to apply for a Road Opening License at the Roadworks Control Unit (at the Dublin City Council). For excavation distances of less than 100 meters the license can be obtained in few days. For more than 100 meters however, the process gets delayed by few months because ESB Networks will then need to go through a Road Risk Control. More information.

Agency: Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks Ltd. 		180 calendar days EUR 18,628.9
* 4 The electrician in charge of the internal wiring sends an Electrical Completion Certificate to regulatory body

While the customer is awaiting their Connection Agreement, the certified electrician must also send an Electro Technical Council of Ireland (ETCI) wiring certificate to their regulatory body quoting the client’s Meter Point Reference Number and address.
In fact, every time an electrical contractor completes a new electrical installation, extension, or modification to an existing installation, he/she is obliged to test and certify that the installation complies with current standards. These standards are set by the Electro Technical Council of Ireland.
The registered electrical contractor who is certifying the electrical wiring must send the Electro Technical Council of Ireland wiring certificate to his/her regulatory body quoting the client’s Meter Point Reference Number and address before connection can be made live. Every client should receive a copy of an Electrical Completion Certificate whenever electrical work is completed.
In situations where an “Electro Technical Council of Ireland” Electrical Completion Certificate is required, ESB Networks must obtain electronically a validated Electrical Completion Certificate from the electrical contractor's regulatory body before connecting the electrical installation to the network.
The electrical contractor is normally member of one of the following regulating bodies: Electrical Contractors Safety & Standards Association Ltd (ECSSA) and Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland (RECI).
Among the situations where an Electro Technical Council of Ireland certificate is required are:
• Building any new house or premises
• Building an extension to an existing house or premises
• Altering the internal electrical wiring in any existing house or premises
• Reconnecting a house or premises (if vacant for more than 6 months)
• Connecting electric fences and other installations

Agency: Regulatory Body 		1 calendar day no charge
5 The client registers with an electricity supplier and obtains meter installation and final connection from Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks

If the customer’s Maximum Import Capacity is less than 30 kVA, they can contact the Supplier of their choice or they may contact ESB Networks to request that their connection be made live.
If the customer’s Maximum Import Capacity is greater than or equal to 30kVA, the client must register with an electricity supplier of their choice.
The client will need the following information when contacting a supplier:
• Meter Point Reference Number
• The address of the new premises
• Name and contact details
The supplier will pass on the information to ESB Networks.
The client is assumed to obtain their electricity from ESB Independent Energy (ESBIE) that is part of ESB Group.
Once the external works are done and ESB Networks has received both the signed Connection Agreement and confirmation that a valid Electro Technical Council of Ireland wiring certificate has been issued for the client’s premises, connection can be energized.

Agency: Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks Ltd. 		7 calendar days EUR 7,640.0
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
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