Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2009
504 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in relation to the provision of electricity interconnectors, north-south and east-west; if he has a specific timeframe in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4917/09]
View answerThe building of transmission lines is an operational matter for EirGrid, as regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), along with the relevant planning authorities, and not one in which I have a function.
The East-West and North-South Interconnector projects are of strategic national importance to Ireland and are key Government priorities. The Meath-Cavan and North-South transmission lines are part of a major upgrade to supplies in the North East region and will bring critical infrastructure to the North East region, ensuring the delivery of high quality and highly reliable services into the future and facilitating competition as part of the All Island electricity market.
EirGrid will be required in its planning application to An Bord Pleanála to submit full details of its proposed route and technology selection. Consultations on the route selection are ongoing. As part of these consultations EirGrid has opened information centres in Navan and Monaghan and has met with stakeholders including individuals, local interest groups and public interest groups. At a recent meeting that I facilitated with North East Pylon Pressure (NEPP), it was agreed that consultations between EirGrid and NEPP would be intensified with a view to progressing a shared understanding in relation to the projects. I understand that EirGrid has also agreed to facilitate a meeting between NEPP's consultants (Askon) and EirGrid's own technical experts, and will fund the costs of Askon attending the meeting. EirGrid will shortly publish a detailed study on undergrounding issues relating to the entire route, the preparation of which is one of a number of requirements for its application for planning consent to An Bord Pleanála. EirGrid expects to submit a planning application for the North/South interconnector to the planning authority, the Strategic Infrastructure Board of An Bord Pleanála, in 2009 which will include a full Environmental Impact Statement. The target completion date is 2012.
The East-West Interconnector is a 500 MW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnector, which will link the electricity grids of Ireland and Great Britain. The advantages that the development of the East West interconnector will bring include improved security of supply and increased competition in the single electricity market as well as significant environmental benefits such as assisting in achieving our ambitious renewable targets and reducing carbon credit payments.
EirGrid has been entrusted with the development and ownership of this interconnector by the Government. Working closely with the CER and with my Department, EirGrid is progressing the project to schedule. The Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Act 2008 provides the necessary legal basis for EirGrid to construct, own and operate an interconnector. I am advised that EirGrid expects the contract for design and construction of the interconnector to be completed shortly, when the successful bidder will be announced. EirGrid has secured Woodland in County Meath as the connection point for the interconnector on the Irish transmission system and Deeside in Wales on the UK side. Furthermore, EirGrid has undertaken a marine survey to determine the most suitable route for the undersea cable. A planning application in respect of the project was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in November 2008 and public consultation is currently underway in respect of foreshore aspects of the development. The target for the completion of commissioning and testing and the start of commercial operations is 2012. The project remains on track to meet these target completion dates, subject to the outcome of the planning processes.
Financing options for this project are being pursued by EirGrid with the objective of achieving the most cost-effective and efficient financial package. The European Commission has included the Interconnector on the list of energy projects under the European Economic Recovery Package which is currently being negotiated in Brussels. I welcome the Commission's recognition of the strategic importance of the project and will continue to work intensively in the negotiations with Member States and the European Parliament to secure the funding.
