Pylons pushed out to 2031?

The powers that be are being urged to go back to the drawing board and underground the lines for the North-South Interconnector project.

Weekend news reports suggested that the controversial energy infrastructure project is now unlikely to be operational before October 2031.

Fianna Fáil’s Clifford Kelly says, in the wake of devastation caused by Storm Éowyn, coupled with the rising cost of the project, not to mention outright opposition locally, that “common sense must prevail”.

“They have time now to go back to the drawing board, to work with the communities involved, and to bring everyone with them this time.”

His comments come as Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, is due to meet with representativies of EirGrid and ESB Networks in the coming days to discuss the revised energisation date for the North-South Interconnector project.

Reports at the weekend suggest the State is now weighing up the prospect of issuing compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for land to ensure access can be completed.

“I will be meeting with EirGrid and ESB Networks next week to discuss the implications of this adjustment,” stated Minister O’Brien.

In a statement this week, the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign (NEPPC) said it would be watching closely to see that all conditions of planning permission are complied with.

It pointed to a legal challenge north of the Border by a group called SEAT (Safe electricity Armagh and Tyrone) concerning the government’s handling of the project, which is due to come before a court today (Wednesday).

“Given that this is an all-island project NEPPC is calling on the Government to halt any further activities on the NSI in ROI, pending the outcome of these proceedings” said spokesperson for NEPPC, Padraig O’Reilly.

He added: “NEPPC urges the new Minister to seek the inputs and views of all affected parties. Otherwise, there will be no progress. EirGrid and ESB continue to dismiss landowners as having no weighting or relevance in the project, they are merely ‘third parties’ in their definition.

“NEPPC is willing to meet the Minister at his convenience with a view to reaching a practical solution.”

Last week senior planners at three local authorities met to discuss conditions and to assess their collective role, if any, in facilitating the NSI, which proposes to run from Tyrone to an existing substation in Meath, passing through Armagh and parts of Monaghan and Cavan on the way.

Minutes of that meeting are expected to be made available next week.

A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications said the NSI is “essential” to linking the transmission networks of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and will ultimately deliver enough energy to power 600,000 homes through green energy.

Eirgrid were contacted for comment.