EirGrid power ahead with pylon plans

A Spring standoff between Eirgrid and some landowners is looming if agreements on erecting pylons on lands to carry high-voltage power lines cannot be reached.

Eirgrid has said it will seek to use statutory powers to access lands to deliver the North South Interconnector project if landowners have not entered into a voluntary agreement before March 1.

The semi-state body has signalled it will request the ESB to make the required applications for ‘wayleave’ notices as per the statutory process in the absence of such agreements. The plan was set out in a letter received by some 400 affected landowners recently.

The letter, seen by this newspaper, states: ‘If a landowner decides not to enter into a voluntary agreement, EirGrid will request ESB to make an application under the statutory compulsory process pursuant to Section 45 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927 as amended’.

That application will be made by the ESB to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

Landowners are informed that the CRU does not determine compensation levels and it may decide to hold a public inquiry as part of the ‘Special Order’ process.

Further to a letter last November, informing landowners of the level of compensation due, Eirgrid once again stated in the latest communication that the offer of compensation is “final” and will no longer be on offer past March 1, 2024.

The package on offer amounts to €50,000 per pylon and €160 per metre of overhead lines.

The Celt asked EirGrid how many of the 400 affected landowners had signed agreements to date - a question that has not yet been answered.

The latest letter adds: ‘However, there may be certain extenuating circumstances for further compensation, such as a loss of development claim (provided the criteria for such a claim is met).’

The communication also sought to allay fears around electronic magnetic fields (EMFs) from transmission lines and the potential health impacts of same.

‘Forty years of research has found no hazardous effects from long-term exposure to low levels of EMFs,’ the letter stated.

Proximity payments

In a follow-up statement, issue to the media, EirGrid further revealed that homeowners situated within 200 meters of the proposed electricity line will also be contacted regarding proximity payments.

“All throughout this process, we have been keen to engage with each landowner on an individual basis, and directly answer any and all questions they may have,” said EirGrid’s chief infrastructure officer, Michael Mahon.

“The priority has always been that land access for the North-South Interconnector would centre around the procurement of a voluntary easement on behalf of ESB Networks,” he continued.

Mr Mahon again reiterated EirGrid’s intention to go the statutory route after March 1.

Once, and if, Special Orders are granted, Mr Mahon said “construction by ESB Networks can proceed, and any compensation due thereafter will be dealt with through a standardised arbitration process, similar to what is available for other state utility projects - such as infrastructure around water or roads - in these instances when agreement with landowners cannot be reached”.

The proposed interconnector, which has passed all planning hurdles North and South of the Border, involves pylons and power lines along a 138km route from Yurleenan in Tyrone to Batterstown in Meath, though counties Cavan and Meath.

Emphasising the strategic importance of the project, Mr Mahon insists it is “critical to ensuring we have an electricity grid, which is fit for purpose”.

He added: “It will connect the electricity grids in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland via a 400 kV overhead cable. This robust infrastructure is critical in terms of providing security of supply, and it will facilitate renewable, clean energy into the future.”

Mr Mahon highlighted other benefits including increased capacity in the electricity network in the region, helping to attract inward investment and jobs; helping to achieve climate action targets; as well as a €12M community benefit fund.

‘Desperation’

The North East Pylon Pressure Committee (NEPPC) has been advocating on behalf of affected landowners and has long since demanded that the lines be undergrounded.

Responding this week, Thomas McDermott of NEPPC says the latest letter from EirGrid has done little to change the minds of those landowners who remain resolutely opposed to the project going ahead.

“We feel that this is a sign of desperation”, he said. “Why would they send a second letter if there was a good response from the first one? It smells of desperation on their behalf.”

He also raised concerns over the groundwork done by EirGrid reps in relation to the project.

“As of now Eirgrid have only entered a handful of farms. They have no idea what the ground is like underneath their proposed sites. We haven’t seen any waste disposal or road traffic management from them in relation to the sites. The NEPP had a public meeting in Kells last year and, 16 years after we started, we had as much support as ever. Eirgrid and the government need to know there is no landowner, home owner or community consent for this project.”