March 6, 2013
Ireland

EirGrid identifies potential routes for Grid West

05 March 2013 | www.rte.ie

Potential routes for a high-capacity overhead power line in the west of Ireland have been identified by EirGrid.

It is proposed that the €240m line will link Bellacorick in Co Mayo to the electricity grid at either Flagford in Co Roscommon or Casla in Co Galway.

The Stage 1 report on the Grid West project identifies a number of kilometre-wide “corridors” for the line.

One of these, between Bellacorick and Flagford, is described as the “least constrained”.

It is considered to be the corridor that best avoids environmental, heritage or technical issues that have been identified.

This route travels near the towns of Ballina, Swinford and Ballaghaderreen before terminating at Flagford, close to Carrick-on-Shannon.

The project is part of a wider plan to upgrade the national grid by 2025.

EirGrid is seeking public feedback on the proposed corridors and will be holding eight open days in Galway, Roscommon, Leitrim and Mayo in the coming weeks.

The company said no decisions regarding the final corridor or route have been made at this stage.

The Industrial Development Authority has said upgrading the country’s electrical infrastructure is essential for future competitiveness.

Brendan McDonagh of the IDA’s Business Intelligence Division said energy security was a key component in attracting multinational corporations.

Mr McDonagh said the provision of a strong, secure electricity supply was vital in the effort to attract inward investment to the region, particularly in the information and scientific sectors.

The Council for the West has appealed to communities and landowners in the area to support the Grid West project.

Chairman Sean Hannick said concerns about electricity supplies had been an issue over the last ten or 15 years and had a negative impact on getting new industry to set up in the western region.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/03/06/eirgrid-identifies-potential-routes-for-grid-west/