Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Celtic Interconnector; and if the project is on track to meet the target of a 2026 completion date. [1209/24]
View answerThe Celtic Interconnector is a proposed 700 MW electricity interconnector between Brittany and East Cork, promoted and developed by the Irish electricity Transmission System Operator, EirGrid, and its French counterpart, Reseau de Transporte d’Électricite (RTÉ). The project remains on target for energisation in 2026 with takeover planned for March 2027.
Construction activity has commenced in France and as of November 2023 on-land cable works for the Celtic Interconnector project commenced in Ireland. Cable manufacturing timelines remain as per contracted timeframes and some marine survey works were undertaken in 2023 by the cable contractor.
On 13 November 2023, Ireland and France marked the commencement of construction on the Celtic Interconnector project with a visit from a French Government Delegation. The start of construction on the project signifies an important step forward for the energy future of both countries. It will include enough capacity to power 450,000 homes and will create a direct electricity link from Ireland to the EU Internal Energy Market, as well as enhanced market competition and security of electricity supply, to the benefit of Irish and French electricity customers.
