EirGrid shelves Grid Link plan

Grid Link, the €500m project which would have seen 250km of new power cables installed in Munster and Leinster, has been shelved by EirGrid.

EirGrid has said that there is less demand for electricity now than was forecast when the project was initially discussed and it has been changed to a regional plan, which is set to cost €157m. This represents a saving of €59m on new overhead lines or €487m on new underground cables.

A technology known as series compensation will be implemented instead of installing the new cables.

This will enable more power to flow through existing lines, and so does not require new 400kV power lines. The new technology will be installed at existing substations.

Following EirGrid’s announcement that it has shelved the €500m Grid Link project, the semi-state body has said it is merely switching plans.

Reaction

The Grid Link Action Group has welcomed the announcement that overhead pylons planned from Cork to Kildare will not now go ahead.

“We have campaigned and lobbied very forcefully for a rethink of EirGrid’s Grid Link plans ever since they made their initial announcement over 24 months ago,” said group spokesperson, Maura Leigh.

“Through public pressure, following two rounds of public consultation, EirGrid has been forced to look at other options that it hadn’t previously considered.”

In a statement issued by the action group, it says that it was never interested in stopping progress, but merely “interested in steering it”.

“This is a classic example of a strong campaign group supported by local communities and public representatives engaging with decision-makers and key stakeholders to force a rethink and a reassessment of the issues,” Maura added.

“We would like to thank our elected representatives who have assisted us over the last two years in raising awareness of issues with the relevant Government ministers and for their work on behalf of the local communities.”