EirGrid confirms pylons for North-South connector, offers alternatives elsewhere

EirGrid, the utility tasked with transporting high-voltage electricity around the country, has published a new strategy for infrastructure development by 2025.

The strategy review does not affect plans for the North-South interconnector between Co. Meath and the border. "The existing preference for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project," EirGrid said in a statement. The organisation added that it had submitted information this month in response to requests from An Bord Pleanála and the project was now at an advanced planning stage.

Fewer pylons needed in South-East and West

In the South East, the Grid Link project due to increase capacity between Kildare, Wexford and Cork could be achieved without installing new controversial overhead lines.

Documents published by EirGrid on Friday state that "upgrading some of the existing transmission lines would make it possible to introduce a technology known as 'series compensation' onto the grid for the first time. This new equipment would allow EirGrid to put more power on existing lines and address the problems on the system."

According to EirGrid,the technology has been used in the US, but never in Europe. Its use would cut the cost of the project to €200-250m, down from €500-550m under the initial plan involving new lines.

In the West, plans to add capacity around areas of renewable energy generation in North Mayo have been amended to allow for a new option combining overhead lines and underground cables. Out of 100km of new lines, the new option would allow for 30km to be buried - instead of 8km in previous plans. The change would not significantly affect the cost of the project, estimated to be between €200-250m.

"In 2014 EirGrid agreed with feedback from the public that we had ruled out underground alternatives too soon in the process," the new strategy acknowledges.

Public consultation

The IFA's environment and rural affairs chairman Harold Kingston has described today’s announcement by EirGrid as a significant response to genuine concerns raised by farmers and local communities regarding the need and scale of the projects proposed.

Harold Kingston has also called on EirGrid to ensure that all options are presented to An Bord Pleanála at the forthcoming oral hearing for the North South interconnector project as real concerns remain.

“An Bord Pleanála as the highest planning authority in the State, must be in a position to make their planning decision based on having all facts and options on the table,” he said.

The ICSA has reiterated its opposition to any new overhead lines, insisting that all planned projects "must go underground". “If undergrounding can be considered for Grid Link and Grid West, then it should also be an option for the North South interconnector. Farmers are adamant that new power lines should not and need not be overhead,” said ICSA rural development chairman Billy Gray.

EirGrid's chief executive Fintan Slye said in a statement: “EirGrid must ensure the necessary grid is in place to ensure that Ireland remain competitive – fostering economic growth, attracting new investments, and supporting indigenous jobs. It must do this without placing too great a burden on communities, or too high a cost on industry. When we have received people's feedback we will submit this draft to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for its consideration before publishing the final strategy later this year.”

EirGrid is now inviting public feedback on the new strategy through a dedicated website and at local offices open daily from Monday 30th March to Friday 10th April (excluding

Good Friday and Easter Monday) at the following locations: