Ireland’s PR6: an evolution in regulatory philosophy?

Ireland’s electricity grid is set for a step change in investment, with up to €19 billion allocated under Price Review 6 (PR6) for 2026–2030.

In our latest bulletin, we examine how PR6 goes beyond scale alone. It reflects an important evolution in regulatory thinking, as the framework adapts to support delivery of a much larger and more complex investment programme.

While incentive regulation has traditionally focused on cost efficiency, PR6 adapts it to a broader challenge: preserving efficiency while supporting timely delivery of the investment the system now requires. With electricity demand rising and renewable integration accelerating, the risks of under-investment and delay have become more acute.

The PR6 framework has introduced more adaptive funding arrangements, alongside enhanced oversight and delivery obligations, in an effort to balance delivery at pace with accountability.

Frontier Economics supported ESB Networks in the development of its PR6 submission.