Electricity interconnector given go ahead after 10-year battle
Published 24 January 2018
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A new electricity interconnector between Northern Ireland and the Republic has been approved ending a near decade long planning battle over the project.
The Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure gave consent yesterday (23 January) for the £200 million project, which straddles the border between Cavan and Tyrone.
It involves the construction a new 275/400kV volt substation in County Tyrone and 34 km of 400kV overhead line from there to a crossing point on the Armagh-Monaghan border.
The scheme, which is designed to strengthen connections between the grids in the Republic and Northern Ireland, was first proposed in 2009 but the construction of 102 pylons sparked opposition from environmentalists.
The Republic of Ireland stretch of the project, which is being developed jointly by the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) and EirGrid, has already been approved.
SONI will hand over the project during the coming months to NIE Networks which will construct the interconnector.
Commenting on the planning decision, Robin McCormick, general manager of SONI, said: “We very much welcome this positive outcome from the Department for Infrastructure. The North South Interconnector is undoubtedly the most important infrastructure scheme on the island today and will deliver very real benefits to domestic and commercial consumers.
“It has received strong support from businesses and employers because of the positive impact it will have on the economy, and from consumer groups as it will help reduce the cost of electricity.”
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