The European Commission has confirmed the delivery of 17 large-capacity power generators to Ireland, sourced from the EU stockpiles, Denmark, and Luxembourg. The generators, which were transported to Ireland with the assistance of various EU member states’ air forces, including Romania, are part of a coordinated effort to restore essential services in the country.
The supply of these generators was made possible through a dedicated EU facility, funded by the EU budget. The delivery comes as Ireland’s Department of Defence also provided an update on the country’s first medium-capacity military transport aircraft, set to enhance the transport of heavy equipment like generators in the future.
The Airbus C-295W Military Transport Aircraft will be delivered to the Irish Air Corps by September 2025. While the Air Corps received two new Airbus C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft in 2023—capable of strategic airlift operations when needed—the C-295W will be dedicated to transporting equipment and troops. The aircraft, which costs €59 million excluding VAT, is part of the Government’s efforts to implement the second of three recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces, as outlined in a report from February 2022.
The generators, which are essential for restoring power, water, and communication services, were provided by Poland and Denmark, following a formal request from Ireland under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The generators are intended to support services such as ESB Networks, Uisce Éireann, and telecommunications operators, helping to bring power, water, phone, and broadband services back to homes, schools, and businesses affected by outages.
According to the European Commission, the delivery details are as follows:
- Four generators from Denmark, delivered on January 29 via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
- One generator from Luxembourg, delivered on February 3 through the same mechanism.
- Thirteen generators from Poland’s rescEU stockpile, with twelve delivered in late January and one cancelled in agreement with Irish authorities.
The Department of Defence also commented on the operational readiness of the new military transport aircraft, explaining that the Airbus C-295W is similar to the previously delivered C-295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft in terms of pilot training and technical support. The aircraft’s operational capabilities will be assessed in stages, with Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and Full Operational Capability (FOC) to be determined based on the military authorities’ assessment and milestones achieved.
As Ireland continues to manage essential services and upgrade its military capabilities, the delivery of both power generators and the new transport aircraft marks an important step in strengthening the country’s resilience in emergency response and defense operations.
