Reports recommend overgrounding interconnector

 

Two independent reports that the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten TD had commissioned on the North-South Interconnector (NSIC) have concludes that overgrounding of the controversial high-power energy line is the best option.

However, locals say “nothing has changed”, and continue to vow that the interconnector will not be built as proposed.

A memo on the long-awaited reports in relation to Eirgrid's proposed North South Interconnector appeared before Government ministers on Tuesday morning, before the publication of the findings of the report.

The two independent reports, commissioned by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, focus on the feasibility of undergrounding the interconnector, and the issue of providing compensation for owners of property near high-voltage transmission lines.

The commissioning of the reports, which were drawn up by an International Expert Commission, followed a motion tabled more than a year ago by the Fianna Fáil Party before the Dáil and Seanad Éireann.

 

Findings

The findings of the first Report concluded that from a “techno-economic point of view”, an Alternating Current Overhead Line is “the most beneficial way of meeting the need” for enhanced power transfer capability between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

In terms of comparative international practice to compensation, the second Report indicates that Ireland has a “comparatively generous compensation regime” in place.

Minster Naughten will forward copies of the two Reports to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment and both reports are available on the Department’s website link here.

Last week, under questioning in the Dáil, it emerged that a third report was commissioned subsequently and separately by Minister Naughten, and took into account the most up-to-date assessment of the implications of Brexit for the energy sector.

In January, the Northern Ireland department for infrastructure granted planning permission for the northern section of the 400kv electricity transfer scheme, which plans to run 138 kilometres of overhead cables between Tyrone and Meath, via parts of East Cavan and Co Monaghan.

Expected to cost about €286 million, the project is however the subject of legal challenges in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, with important legal dates imminent in both jurisdictions this month and next.

 

Nothing has changed

Pat Farrelly of North-East Pylon Pressure group told The Anglo-Celt this week: “Nothing has changed as far as the people are concerned. Nothing whatsoever. This will not be built as it is. Eirgrid have said in the past that they will not proceed without the willingness of local landowners, and there is still no willingness here as far as I can see. There has been no meetings, nothing has changed.”

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil T.D. Brendan Smith meanwhile, after an initial pursual of the reports, expressed his “serious disappointment” with the failure to rule out entirely any over-grounding of the transmission cables for the proposed North South Interconnector.
Deputy Brendan Smith stated that if this project is to proceed “then all the transmission cables must be under-grounded”.

 

Eirgrid's reaction

Eirgrid though welcomed the findings of two independent studies.

EirGrid Group Chief Executive Mark Foley said it was reassuring that the commission endorsed the overhead line solution that has received planning approval in Ireland and Northern Ireland: “We welcome the publication of the reports commissioned by Minister Naughten, and acknowledge the independence and integrity of the studies.

“We have considered all possible options regarding the delivery of the interconnector and are encouraged that the panel has concluded that an overhead line is the most beneficial way of meeting the need for enhanced power transfer capability between Ireland and Northern Ireland.”

Mr. Foley added: “Due to its strategic importance, it is crucial that the North South Interconnector provides a highly reliable link between the two transmission systems on the island.

“The only feasible way to underground such a circuit is to use specialised technology with expensive conversion equipment at each end. Although the study acknowledges there have been developments in this area, in our view it represents unacceptable technical risk and hundreds of millions of euros of extra costs.

“This is a critical piece of infrastructure for the island, which we are committed to delivering; and while we work through legal challenges in both jurisdictions, we will continue our engagement with landowners and the community.”