ESB warns EU “Made in Europe” plan could delay housing build‑out

The ESB has cautioned that the European Union’s “Made in Europe” proposal may extend Ireland’s housing crisis.

The EU is drafting legislation intended to encourage businesses to source goods from within the bloc, amid rising global protectionism and concerns over supply‑chain resilience. ESB Networks, which connects new homes to the electricity grid, wrote to the Government saying the policy could jeopardise its ability to build at the pace needed for housing, the economy and climate action.

ESB sources many of its cables and electrical transformers from outside the EU. On The Claire Byrne Show, UCD Professor Tom Phillips argued the scheme “puts the cart before the horse”, noting that many large‑scale transmitters rely on raw materials not manufactured in Europe.

Professor Phillips described the policy’s aim as “very good” but warned European manufacturing could not meet the sudden surge in demand, particularly for steel, which is scarce on the continent. He urged a phased, fact‑based approach, allowing supply chains to scale up before full implementation.

Government housing targets

In its Programme for Government, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have pledged to deliver “more than” 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Nataliya Vaitkevich / Pexels.