Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2015
223. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the work of the expert panel reviewing the proposed EirGrid projects; if his attention has been drawn to the additional expertise used to date by the panel; when the review of Grid West is due to be finalised and presented to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19064/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Independent Expert Panel established in January 2014 is overseeing the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The EirGrid reports are required to be comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for the projects. They must also be complete, comparable (overhead line comparable against underground cable) and objective and include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. After consideration of the reports, the Panel is required to provide an opinion to me on the projects. Thereafter, EirGrid will publicly consult on each project. The Panel contains appropriate experts to consider cost, technical and environmental matters. I understand that the Panel has not, to date, involved external experts in its considerations.
Having now completed its analysis of EirGrid’s Grid West report, the Panel provided its opinion to me on 29 April 2015. The Panel is unanimously of the opinion that the EirGrid report is complete and objective. The Panel is fully satisfied that EirGrid carried out and completed the report in full accordance with the Terms of Reference for the report set by the Panel. I understand that EirGrid will soon publish the report for public consultation and will be seeking public feedback on each of the options presented.
On 27 March 2015, Eirgrid published, for public comment, a discussion paper on Ireland's grid development strategy entitled "Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow". The paper confirms that Ireland’s overall energy transmission needs may be met with less new infrastructure than previously anticipated because of technological developments and updated projections of future electricity demand. The discussion puts forward options for Grid West and Grid Link and reaffirms the need for the North South Transmission Line project as currently proposed, i.e. a 400kV overhead line being the most appropriate solution. In relation to the Grid Link project, the discussion paper, which was subject to an independent peer review, confirms the need to reinforce the transmission system in the South East. It suggests an additional option to the original Grid Link options. The original options would require either (i) the construction of significant amounts of new overhead lines or (ii) the laying of significant amounts of underground cable. The additional option contained in the recently published discussion document would involve an underwater cable in the Shannon estuary and upgrading existing transmission lines rather than building new lines. EirGrid will engage with stakeholders to discuss the possible options as it continues its evaluation of the three potential solutions outlined in the draft strategy, with a view to making a submission to the Independent Expert Panel in Autumn 2015. I expect to receive the Panel's opinion on the Grid Link project in quarter three, 2015. Thereafter, I understand that EirGrid intends to hold public consultation on Grid Link towards the latter part of this year.
It is also important to note that all of the major EirGrid projects will be the subject of planning applications to An Bord Pleanála.
