EirGrid

National Control Centres

Our national control centres for the island of Ireland are located in Dublin and Belfast.

The Role of the National Control Centres

The National Control Centres (NCCs) make sure the lights stay on throughout the island of Ireland. A team of staff operate the grid from NCCs in Dublin and Belfast. They carry out the intricate task of matching electricity production to customer demand in real time.

While leading the transition to a low carbon future, we also operate the grid in the most economical way to benefit everyone. At the same time, we must always meet standards expected of us in:

  • Safety
  • Security
  • Continuity
  • Quality
  • Sustainability

Meeting User Demand

Electricity powers all of our lives up and down the island. User demand varies on a daily, weekly and seasonal basis. Generating the right capacity is a very difficult task. Available generation must match demand for a balanced power system.

This simple fact informs the planning we carry out to ensure the grid is safe and secure – 24/7, 365 days a year.

Effective Planning

EirGrid use the most sophisticated software in operating the grid, ensuring we operate the grid in the best, most cost-efficient manner. But the NCCs must also plan for unforeseen circumstances. For example, a particular event may lead to demand exceeding expectations.

See how we maintain a secure power system and respond in an emergency.