Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
151. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the development of grid interconnection in the south-east region in order to support the development of offshore renewables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18770/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 500MW East West Interconnector (EWIC) between North Dublin and Wales is the only existing subsea electricity transmission cable connecting Ireland with another European wholesale electricity market. In addition to EWIC, there are two further proposed interconnectors, which are the 500MW Greenlink Interconnector between Wexford and South Wales, and the 700MW Celtic Interconnector between East Cork and Brittany, France. Both projects are at an advanced stage of pre-construction development, with the projects' promoters anticipating that Greenlink will be completed by 2024/25, and Celtic by 2026/27. Development of the Celtic and Greenlink interconnectors is anticipated to have a positive impact on Irish electricity customers in terms of enhancing our energy security of supply and increasing wholesale market competition. These projects should also facilitate the integration of higher volumes of renewable energy, including offshore wind, via the export of surplus renewables to neighbouring countries which would otherwise be curtailed. This should have a particularly beneficial impact on renewables development in the South East region, where both new interconnector projects will connect with Ireland’s onshore electricity transmission system.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 requires my Department to update Ireland's existing interconnector policy by the end of 2022, in order to reflect Ireland’s increased climate and energy ambition, and to provide for increased levels of future interconnection with neighbouring countries.
