Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2015
518. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the EirGrid Review of its Grid 25 project which was due for publication in January 2015; and if he will confirm the revised intended publication date; if the EirGrid report will be subject to an independent review. [6780/15]
View answerGrid25 comprises over 100 projects ranging from large projects such as Grid West, Grid Link and the North South Transmission Line, to smaller projects, station works and upgrades of existing transmission lines around Ireland. EirGrid reviews all projects at regular intervals.
The overall Grid25 Strategy was forecast to cost up to €4 billion at its launch in 2007. In the 2010 review of Grid25, the identification and use of new technologies, together with the re-optimisation of the Grid25 programme, as well as the slower than expected increase in economic activity forecasted, enabled EirGrid to reduce the estimated cost of the programme from €4 billion to €3.2 billion.
EirGrid has engaged expert assistance in carrying out and peer reviewing the current review which is expected to be completed shortly.
