WEALTH October 30, 2025 0 Comments

Why ESB Networks’ €6.5M Bet on Portlaoise Could Redefine Ireland’s Energy Future—And What Investors Need to Know Now

Ever wonder what it takes to power a whole nation into a sustainable future—and who’s actually training the folks behind those cables and circuits? ESB Networks just dropped a cool €6.5 million investment bomb on their Networks Training Centre (NTC) in Portlaoise, aiming to turbocharge the technical and craft skills that’ll keep Ireland’s electricity grid buzzing and ready for the big decarbonization push ahead. With Ministers James Lawless and Marian Harkin on hand alongside ESB’s top guy Nicholas Tarrant, this isn’t just a facelift; it’s a full-on upgrade aligning with their bold Networks for Net Zero strategy. Now, here’s the kicker—their €13.4 billion capital investment plan isn’t just about wires and transformers. It’s about creating real careers, fostering diversity, and shaping a net-zero-ready economy by 2040. So as they bring in hundreds of apprentices and electricians, isn’t this the kind of forward-thinking move every industry could learn from? The future’s electric, and ESB is plugging in powerfully. LEARN MORE

ESB Networks has announced a €6.5m investment in its Networks Training Centre (NTC) in Portlaoise.

The investment in the NTC aims to accelerate the development of key technical and craft skills necessary to support significant investment in the electricity network over the period ahead.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless and Minister of State Marian Harkin, along with Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director of ESB Networks, were on site to officially mark the occasion.

In its Networks for Net Zero strategy, ESB Networks has committed to delivering a Net Zero ready electricity network by 2040.

A €13.4bn capital investment programme is planned over the next five years (PR6) to decarbonise electricity, deliver reliable and resilient infrastructure and empower customers to take more control over their energy use.

Minister Lawless, said the investment is a powerful signal of the continued growth of apprenticeships at the heart of Ireland’s skills strategy.

“With over €410m committed to apprenticeship delivery from 2026, the Government is building a system that delivers real opportunity, real careers, and real impact,” Lawless added.

“Whether it’s powering homes or driving climate action, ESB Networks apprentices are shaping Ireland’s future, developing the advanced skills that power a modern, sustainable, and knowledge-driven economy.”

Minister of Harkin, said: “This project represents an investment in one of Ireland’s greatest strengths – its people.

“The Government remains firmly committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programmes reflect the full diversity of Irish society, including through greater participation by women.”

Managing Director of ESB Networks Tarrant noted that theannouncement is critical to ensuring that ESB Networks and their contractor partners have the necessary skills and capabilities to support a major capital investment programme in the electricity network that will enable housing, a growing economy and climate action.

“For generations, the ESB Networks national training centre has played a vital role in delivering technical, safety and electrical craft training to ESB Networks’ employees and our contractor partners,” Tarrant said.

“Through this investment in Portlaoise we will expand our training delivery capability, which in turn will support the continued growth in resources to enable investment delivery in the electricity network over the coming years.”

ESB Networks is currently onboarding 156 new electrical apprentices and plans are underway for the onboarding of 120 qualified electricians in Q1 2026.

This brings its total hiring of apprentices and qualified electricians since 2022 to over 700. ESB Networks is also driving to improve gender diversity in its craft employee group which has resulted in an average of 26% women in apprenticeship programmes each year.

Photo: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin, Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director of ESB Networks, and ESB Networks apprentices Dearbhla McGrath and Ryan Bourke.