Turner & Townsend wins five-year contract for Ireland’s £1.75bn grid upgrade

Eirgrid has appointed Turner & Townsend under a national procurement framework to manage Ireland’s £1.75bn grid modernisation programme outlined in the National Development Plan. The government-backed contract reflects a major procurement-led investment aimed at strengthening the country’s energy transmission system and supporting its transition to cleaner power.

Under the five-year agreement, the Dublin-based consultancy will provide full programme management oversight, ensuring consistent standards and delivery across multiple regional projects.

Partnering with WSP, Turner & Townsend will lead on planning, design, and implementation as part of one of Europe’s largest and most complex grid transformation efforts.

The contract sits within Ireland’s broader national procurement strategy, which leverages public-private collaboration to accelerate infrastructure delivery and maintain cost efficiency.

The project is designed to enhance energy security, expand transmission capacity, and integrate renewable sources into the national grid. It also signals the state’s continued reliance on structured procurement frameworks to manage major infrastructure investments effectively.

Turner & Townsend’s involvement builds on its established role in Ireland’s public infrastructure pipeline, including the £1.4bn Celtic Interconnector and £8.2bn Metrolink. The firm’s experience in procurement management and multidisciplinary project governance positions it as a key delivery partner for Eirgrid.

Managing director Philip Matthews said the initiative will “create a more robust and sustainable energy network,” aligning public procurement priorities with long-term national energy goals. The agreement includes an optional three-year extension, further demonstrating the government’s commitment to strategic procurement in modernising Ireland’s power infrastructure.

Explore how Turner & Townsend is shaping Ireland’s energy transformation in the full report.