Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the findings of the review into the north-south interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41137/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe North-South interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also help Ireland to move towards our 70% renewable electricity target by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland's economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers. The option of undergrounding the North-South interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. Most recently, the key finding from the international expert commission's report of October 2018 was that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this critical electricity infrastructure.
Notwithstanding this, I decided to commission a further short review to assess if the overall finding from the 2018 report remains valid. Terms of reference for this study were published on my Department's website on 21 April. On 7 May, my Department initiated a procurement process to appoint an independent expert to undertake the review. I expect that international grid experts will be appointed shortly and that the review will commence with a view to completion as soon as possible.
The project has been approved by the planning authorities in Ireland and Northern Ireland although the planning consent in Northern Ireland is the subject of judicial review proceedings which are not yet concluded.
