Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, has announced the Department’s Sectoral Capital Plan for 2026–2030, outlining up to €5.640 billion in capital investment under the National Development Plan (NDP). The plan aligns with the Department’s new Le Chéile 28 strategy and includes an additional €3.5bn State equity injection for ESB and EirGrid to support major grid development.

Under the department's Sectoral Capital Plan, a key priority will be to meet Programme for Government commitments to allocate a share of annual carbon tax proceeds for investment in energy efficiency programmes. The largest single programme in the plan, up to €3.7 billion, will be invested in residential energy efficiency programmes through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This funding will enable the department to expand delivery of the National Retrofit Plan, to increase the delivery of home energy upgrades to homeowners, community groups and, through the Warmer Homes Scheme, households at risk of energy poverty towards the cost of a range of home energy efficiency measures aimed at reducing energy consumption and supporting the transition away from fossil fuels.

Minister O’Brien described the record €9.14 billion overall capital allocation for the Department and its agencies as a strong vote of confidence in its capacity to deliver “transformative, critical and growth-enhancing infrastructure.” Minister of State Alan Dillon highlighted the plan’s role in accelerating Ireland’s shift to a circular, sustainable economy, while Minister of State Timmy Dooley welcomed dedicated funding for marine planning, environmental protection and inland fisheries.

For more on the Sectoral Plan, see here.