Eastwest Interconnector

Anchors away for Wales - Ireland electricity link

Plans to link the electricity networks of Wales and Ireland have taken a significant leap forward as work begins to lay the cables under the sea bed.

The East West Interconnector project is being developed by EirGrid – the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland. It involves the laying of undersea and underground cables to enable the flow of electricity in both directions between the two countries.  

With most of the underground cables now laid, the laying of the cables at sea is the next significant step in the €600 million project.

The cable-laying ship Nostag 10 anchored off Prestatyn’s Barkby Beach where the underground cable is linked to the 180km length that will travel to a coastal site near Dublin.

As it makes its way across the sea, the cable will be carefully lowered into the water and laid in a narrow trench which will be opened and closed by a remote controlled vehicle operating on the sea bed. The cable laying work is expected to take approximately eight months to complete.

Sean Meagher, EirGrid’s Wales project manager, said “This is a very exciting stage in the project and probably one of the most challenging, too.  We carried out a detailed marine survey ahead of work starting to identify a route for the undersea cable that would have the least impact on marine life.  

 “After a lot of hard work and planning it is great to see the cable finally beginning to be laid at sea, which is a major moment in this project.” 

The Interconnector is scheduled to be operational by 2012.  

Sean added: “The Interconnector will have a capacity to carry 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales.  This will provide benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea as it will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security. “

Local people flock to see the Nostag 10 at Barkby Beach as it connects the cables that will travel out to sea to Ireland.

Peter Lundgren from ABB, Paul O'Rourke from EirGrid and Eric van Der Poel from Volker Infra oversee the connection of the cables at Barkby Beach.

Research project marks start of construction work of East West Interconnector converter station

Construction work getting underway on an electricity converter station in Shotton, near Deeside, is to incorporate a research project that could help pave the way for the development of new construction techniques for the future. 

The converter station forms part of the project to link the electricity networks of north Wales and the Republic of Ireland.  The East West Interconnector, which is being developed by EirGrid, the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland, will see undersea and underground cables transporting electricity between the two countries.

To support the station’s structure, 690 supports are being driven deep into the ground at the site.  The supports - known as Driven Cast In-Situ (DCIS) piles – each has a  capacity to support 75 tonnes, and will act as a foundation for the various areas of the station.

DCIS piles have been found to be very effective at supporting much higher loads than the more commonly encountered concrete piles. In conjunction with the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, Keller is carrying out fundamental research to see how these high capacities are achieved. By focusing on and monitoring one such pile, more information can be produced as to why piles are superior to the traditional methods. 

'The ground conditions at Shotton are unusually uniform' said Dr Bryan McCabe of NUI Galway, 'making this site a fantastic location to undertake some fundamental research. One of the research aims is to understand how the load capacity of a DCIS pile is governed by the strains generated in the concrete before the pile is loaded – and uniform ground will make interpretation of the instrumented pile tests more straight-forward.' 

Sean Meagher, EirGrid’s East West Interconnector project manager in Wales said, “We’re delighted to be involved with this research project and hope the findings will help advance construction techniques for the future.  As well as bringing benefits to electricity users on both sides of the Irish Sea, this project should provide valuable information that will be used by construction companies the world over.”

The 260km of electricity cables will come ashore at Barkby Beach, Prestatyn, and travel along the A548 to the converter site at Shotton.  Once completed, they will have a capacity to carry 500MW of electricity which is the equivalent of supplying power to around 300,000 homes.

The interconnector will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales, providing benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea.  It will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.”

Keller is the specialist piling sub-contractor who will be completing the works on behalf of EirGrid.

EirGrid sponsors local Christmas card competition

With Christmas just around the corner, the company working to link the electricity networks of Wales and Ireland, has been helping Denbighshire get into the festive spirit by sponsoring an annual school Christmas card competition.

The competition to design the card is run annually by local MP Chris Ruane and with EirGrid working in Prestatyn on the electricty link, the company was delighted to get involved.

Each year, schools in the town and across the wider constituency, get creative and come up with a festive image with the winning one being used on the Christmas card that Chris Ruane sends out locally.

Alan McHugh, EirGrid’s East West Interconnector project manager said: ‘The competition is thought highly of locally and brings a tremendous amount of pleasure to children and their families and we were delighted to get involved.   As a company we are committed to developing meaningful and sustained links with those communities in which we are working and sponsoring this competition is another way we can do this.”

The winning design was announced on Friday at an awards ceremony in Rhyl Pavilion.  Almost 400 children entered the competition, and  over 50 attended with Molly Callow from Ysgol Esgob Morgan school having her card picked as the winner.  Other awards were also handed out including an overall winner from each school and the awards were presented by some of the stars of the pantomime showing at the Pavilion this Christmas.

Chris Ruane MP, who organises the competition said: “This competition has become an established part of the preparations for Christmas and I would like to thank EirGrid for agreeing to be one of the sponsors to help make it possible again this year.”

The East West Interconnector will come ashore at Barkby Beach and when completed, will have a capacity to carry 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales.  This will provide benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea as it will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.

Now you can even recycle the road!

A project to link the electricity networks of Wales and the Republic of Ireland is aiming to benefit the environment - by recycling the roads it excavates to lay a new cable.

The road recycling initiative means that much less material is taken to landfill sites, and instead can be recycled by special equipment to be used again on road reinstatement.

Work on the East West Interconnector is using innovative equipment for the first time in the UK to enable over half of the excavated road waste material to be recycled.  Since work began on the project in north Wales last November, road waste recycling rates have increased to 62%.

The construction of the interconnector, which is being developed by EirGrid – the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland - involves the laying of undersea and underground cables to enable the flow of electricity in both directions between the two countries.  Engineering firm ABB is the contractor for the project and is responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of the interconnector.

Plastic ducting required to house the underground cables is currently being laid by ABB’s appointed subcontractor, Welch Civils, along the road linking Prestatyn and Shotton.

Waste generated from road trench excavation is often sent to environmentally damaging landfill sites.  Welch Civils however has opened a recycling treatment station for the waste at Flintshire County Councils Recycling, Composting and Soil treatment Centre in Greenfield, near to where the work is being carried out.

Once at the treatment station, bitumen road surface is firstly separated from the road waste.  The remaining waste is then processed through a grader before passing through a purpose built mixer where a stabiliser is added, making the finished product suitable for re-use in reinstating the trenches.

Alan McHugh, EirGrid’s East West Interconnector project manager said: “We’re delighted with the levels of recycling being achieved on our project in north Wales.  Recycling in this way makes sense on many levels and brings with it a number of benefits including a reduction in waste sent to harmful landfill sites, reductions in emissions from haulage and movement and a reduction in waste disposal costs.”

We are starting to recycle bituminous materials which will take us up to 68% of all materials recycled.

This is the first project within the UK that is using a purposely built mixing machine to produce hydraulically bound material to comply with the New Roads and Streetworks Act.

Keith Williams from Flintshire County Council’s Environment Directorate said: “Such innovation and forward thinking is reducing the risk on the environment and does not compromise the quality of the reinstatement work. This is setting a precedent in the development of recycling techniques in the construction industry.”

Welch Civils and Flintshire County Council are also working together to develop ways of further increasing recycling rates from the road waste by developing, amongst other things, a fine fill material to surround utility apparatus.

Work laying the ducting is likely to be completed in December 2010. Cable pulling and joint bays will continue to be carried out on the highways up to mid 2011 with the Interconnector scheduled to be operational by 2012. 

When completed, it will have a capacity to carry 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales.  This will provide benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea as it will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.

Work in Aber Road

20 August 2010

We regret any inconvenience caused to anyone in Flint by our work in the town.

In planning our project we liaised closely with the local council to plan a route which would keep inconvenience to an absolute minimum. We therefore agreed that the road excavation would follow Aber Road.

We appreciate that the works have increased the volume of traffic along the diversion routes and caused delays at times.

Street works along Aber Road will be completed this week. Further works at the junction of Church Street and Chapel Street and the completion of a stream crossing alongside Aber Road will take place in September. At all times we will seek to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and road users.

We would like to thank the local community for accommodating these works.

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Enquiries to EirGrid press office on 02920 556146

Next phase of work on electricity link starts in Flint

30 July 2010

The next phase of work to link the electricity networks of Wales and Ireland will start in Flint on Monday.

The East West Interconnector is being developed by EirGrid, the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland, and will see undersea and underground cables transporting electricity between the two countries.

From Monday 2 August, EirGrid's team will be working in Aber Road in the town. This work forms an essential part of preparing for the laying of the underground cables between Prestatyn and Shotton.

To minimise the disruption of the work, EirGrid agreed during the planning of the scheme that the cables would not go through Flint town centre, but instead follow an alternative route starting on Aber Road.

For the work to be carried out safely, it will be necessary to implement a one way system on Aber Road. Whilst this is in place, it will not be possible for vehicles to turn into the road off Holywell Road (A548). Diversions will be in place, including for vehicles travelling to Aber Road Industrial Park, and all diversionary routes will be clearly signposted. Other traffic management measures will also be put in place during the course of the work to maintain safe flows of traffic.

Access to Aber Road will be maintained for residents and emergency vehicles at all times and it is anticipated that this phase of the work will take six weeks to complete.

Alan McHugh, EirGrid's East West Interconnector project manager, said: "While most of our underground cable will follow the route of the A548, we won't be taking it through Flint town centre to ensure businesses there aren't impacted by the work. An alternative route starting in Aber Road has been identified and I would like to assure people we will do all we can to ensure any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.

"The East West Interconnector is an exciting development which will bring many benefits to electricity users in Wales and Ireland and I would like to thank people for their patience while we're working in the area."

A public exhibition was held in Flint at the end of June to keep local residents informed of the plans.

EirGrid has already started the process of laying cable trunking along the A548. This will be used to house the cables after they come ashore at Prestatyn and then travel to a converter station that is to be built at Shotton. The converter station is where the electricity is adapted so it is suitable to be used on the local transmission network.

Mr McHugh added: "We're very pleased with how the work of laying the trunking is going. We currently have crews working in Pen y Ffordd, Mostyn and Greenfield and they are making good progress."

In preparing the scheme, EirGrid has liaised with the Highways Department of Denbighshire and Flintshire County Councils to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

When completed the interconnector will have a capacity of 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales, providing benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea. It will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.

Ends

Enquiries to EirGrid Wales press office on 02920 556146

Summer time hours for work on A548

16 July 2010

EirGrid, the company behind plans to link the electricity networks of Wales and Ireland, will be altering its hours of work along the A548 over the next few weeks to help maintain the flow of traffic during the busy tourist season.

The company is currently working at four locations along the A548 laying plastic ducting in the road which will be used to house the electricity cables. With traffic volumes traditionally increasing during the busy holiday season, the company is keen to ensure that the effect of its work is kept to an absolute minimum in the area. 

The East West Interconnector is being developed by EirGrid, the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland, and will see undersea and underground cables transporting electricity between the two countries.

Teams are currently working in the following locations along the A548 at;

• Greenfield Bridge, with two way traffic lights
• Near Lletty Hotel, Mostyn, where two way traffic lights are in place
• Junction with Pen-y-Maes Road  near Greenfield
• Along the dual carriageway in Oakenholt – which includes a lane closure  on the east bound carriageway

Alan McHugh, EirGrid’s East West Interconnector project manager, said: “The cable linking the electricity networks of Wales and Ireland will follow the route of the A548 to the converter station in Shotton. When planning the scheme we were conscious of the importance of the road for the tourist industry and we are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum and to finishing the work as quickly as possible.

“Over the next few weeks we will limit the hours we work to ensure that visitors to the area, along with local motorists, are not significantly impacted by the work.  We have liaised with the local highways authority over our new working times and I would like to thank people for their patience while we complete this phase of the work.”

A public exhibition was held in Flint at the end of June to keep local residents informed of the plans.

The cables will come ashore at Barkby Beech, Prestatyn and from there travel underground to the converter station that is to be built in Shotton. The converter station is where the electricity is adapted so it is suitable to be used on the local transmission network.

When completed the interconnector will have a capacity of 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales, providing benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea.  It will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.

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Enquiries to EirGrid Wales press office on 02920 556146

Work on electricity link starts in Prestatyn

Work will start near Prestatyn on Monday on the project which will link the electricity networks of Wales and Ireland.

The East West Interconnector is being developed by EirGrid, the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland, and will be constructed over the next two years.

Work will take place on the outskirts of the town on Prestatyn Road and is likely to be completed within 3 weeks.

While the work is being carried out, traffic management will be in place in order to maintain safe traffic flows and access will be maintained for residents and emergency vehicles at all times.

In planning the work, EirGrid held back on the starting date so as not to disrupt the planned re-opening of Nant Hall which takes place over the weekend.

Alan McHugh, EirGrid’s East West Interconnector project manager said: “The cable linking the electricity networks of Wales and Ireland will come ashore at Barkby Beach, Prestatyn, and the work we will be carrying out on Prestatyn Road is essential in preparing for this.

“The East West Interconnector is an exciting development which will bring many benefits to electricity users in Wales and Ireland.”

A public exhibition was held in Flint at the end of June to keep local residents informed of the plans.

EirGrid is already in the process of laying cable trunking along the A548. This will be used to house the cables as they travel from Prestatyn to a converter station that is to be built at Shotton. The converter station is where the electricity is adapted so it is suitable to be used on the local transmission network.

Mr McHugh added: “We’re very pleased with how the work of laying the trunking is going. We currently have crews working in Pen y Ffordd, Mostyn and Greenfield and they are making good progress.

“In order for this work to be carried out safely it is essential we have traffic management measures in places and I would like to thank people for their patience while we complete this phase of the work.  We are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum and ensuring we finish the work as quickly as possible.”

In preparing the scheme, EirGrid has liaised with the Highways Department of Denbighshire and Flintshire County Councils to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

When completed the interconnector will have a capacity of 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales, providing benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea.  It will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.

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Enquiries to EirGrid Wales press office on 02920 556146

Eirgrid electricity link to Wales boosted by €110 million EU Grant

Project on target for 2012 completion

Strong financial backing announced by the European Commission for the EirGrid East West Interconnector will have major benefits for electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea.

The electricity Interconnector linking Ireland and Wales, which is being developed by EirGrid will be supported by a €110 million grant from the European Commission, following a successful application by the Irish Government. The grant was confirmed by Günther Oettinger, the Commissioner responsible for Energy.

The EirGrid electricity link will enhance security of supply in Ireland and Wales by enabling movement of power in both directions.  It will assist with the development of renewable energy generation and encourage more competition to enter the market which in turn benefits consumers.

This funding for the EirGrid €600 million interconnector is part of a suite of energy projects being targeted for investment by the European Commission as part of their €4 billion economic stimulus package “Investing today for tomorrow’s Europe”.

The Interconnector will connect the electricity grids in Wales and Ireland and is on target for completion in 2012.

The Interconnector is at a highly advanced stage, with construction due to commence early this summer.

EirGrid Chief Executive, Dermot Byrne says: 

“As an Island country, interconnection with other countries offers us great opportunities as confirmed in our recent report on economic feasibility of further interconnection.

“Clear advantages identified are enhancement of security of supply, increased competition in the market and an ability to integrate greater quantities of renewable generation which in turn reduces dependency on fossil fuel imports”.

Commenting on the announcement, Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner responsible for energy said: "Never before has the Commission agreed such an important amount for energy projects. We have selected key projects which will help creating a more integrated energy network in Europe ensuring flexible energy flows across Member States' borders.”

The Interconnector will be 260 km long and will carry 500 megawatts of electricity – the equivalent of supplying power to 300,000 homes.

For further information please contact: Gwyn Thomas / Katherine Williams-Davies on 02920 555505

Editor’s note:

• EirGrid plc is a leading Irish energy business, dedicated to the provision of transmission and market services for the benefit of electricity consumers. It is a commercial semi-state company. 
  
• EirGrid holds licences as independent electricity Transmission System Operator (TSO) and Market Operator (MO) in the wholesale trading system in Ireland, and is the owner of the System Operator Northern Ireland (SONI Ltd), the licenced TSO and market operator in Northern Ireland. The Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO) is part of the EirGrid Group.
  
• The East West Interconnector will represent an investment of €600 million.  ABB, the Swedish engineering firm was awarded the contract to design, manufacture and install the interconnector.
  
• It is expected that this project will result in approximately 100 jobs in Ireland and 100 jobs in Wales during the construction phase. The project is due for completion in 2012.
  
• In the National Development Plan 2007 – 2013, the Irish Government has identified the need for a strategic energy link, in the form of an electrical High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnector, to be developed between Ireland and the UK.
  
• The interconnector is being developed by EirGrid, working closely with the Commission for Energy Regulation, and will be owned by EirGrid following its completion.
  
• For more information on the European Energy Programme for Recovery http://ec.europa.eu/energy/grants/2009_07_15_en.htm
  
• The EirGrid Interconnection Economic Feasibility Report is available for download on www.eirgrid.com
  

Preparation work continues in Flint for the electricity connection with Ireland

Work is due to start on Monday in Flint on the next phase of work that will pave the way for the construction of the undersea electricity connection planned between Wales and Ireland.

The East West Interconnector, costing approximately €600 million (£560m), is being developed by EirGrid, the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland, and will be constructed over the next three years.

The work on Prince of Wales Avenue will take approximately six weeks to complete. It will involve installing ducts in the road which will carry the cable at a later date.

Whilst the work is being carried out, traffic management will be in place in order to maintain safe traffic flows. On occasion it may be necessary to close the road in places but access will be maintained for residents and emergency vehicles at all times.

Alan McHugh, EirGrid’s East West Interconnector project manager said:

“This work is essential to prepare for the laying of the electricity cables later on in the project.  The East West Interconnector project is an exciting development which will bring many benefits to electricity users in Wales and Ireland.

“We apologise for any inconvenience the work in Flint may cause, and assure people that we will work as quickly as possible to complete this phase of the project.”

In planning this work, EirGrid has liaised with the Highways Department of Flintshire County Council to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

When completed the Interconnector will have a capacity of 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales, providing benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea.  It will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.

Work starts on the electricity connector between Wales and Ireland

The first phase of work to enable the construction of an undersea electricity connection between Ireland and Wales is due to start today (2nd November 2009).

The East West Interconnector, costing approximately €600 million (£560m), has been planned by EirGrid, the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland, and is due to be constructed over the next three years.

Investigative and enabling works will now start on parts of the A548 highway, along the proposed route of the underground cables. Work will begin at Greenfield Bridge and continue at other locations including Rockcliffe Tunnel and Aber Road, over a period of several weeks.

Whilst the work is being carried out, traffic management will be in place, including the closing of lanes where necessary, in order to maintain safe traffic flows. Where traffic flow is restricted, traffic light and ‘Stop/Go’ systems will be employed to minimise delays.

Alan McHugh, EirGrid’s East West Interconnector project manager said: “This is a very important first step for us in getting construction of the Interconnector underway.  We apologise for any inconvenience the work may cause, and assure people that we will work as quickly as possible to complete this phase of the project.”

The work specifically involves digging trenches in the highway to identify existing underground services and laying plastic pipes called cable ducts, which will be used to pull through the underground cables at a future stage in the project. Once this work has been completed, all the trenches will be filled in and the highway fully reinstated.

In planning this work, EirGrid has liaised with the Highways Department of Flintshire County Council.

When completed the Interconnector will have a capacity of 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales, providing benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea.  It will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.

Work ongoing on Welsh - Irish electricity interconnector

The second phase of enabling work for the construction of the undersea electricity connection between Wales and Ireland is due to start in Ffynnongroyw on 4 January 2010.

The East West Interconnector, which will enable the two way transmission of electricity between both countries, is being developed by EirGrid, the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland.  The €600 million (£560m) project will see cables travel under the Irish Sea and underground from Barkby Beach, Prestatyn to the site of the planned converter station in Shotton. The cables will mainly follow the route of the A548.

The second phase of enabling work will involve digging 80 trial holes along the proposed route of the underground cables. Traffic management will be put in place to allow the trial hole works to be carried out. This will require both outside lanes of the A548 dual carriageway to be closed to all traffic but the impact on the traffic flow will be kept to a minimum. 
The company completed initial investigative and enabling works along parts of the A548 highway ahead of schedule before Christmas despite delays caused by the discovery of three previously unidentified underground culverts.

Alan McHugh, EirGrid’s East West Interconnector project manager said:

“We would like to thank people for their patience during the first phase of work along the A548 and assure them that we will do our utmost to minimise the impact of our work in forthcoming phases of the project.

This significant project, which will be completed in 2012, will bring benefits to people in Wales and Ireland which will include security of supply in the future.

In planning this construction work, EirGrid has liaised with the Highways Department of Flintshire County Council.

When completed the Interconnector will have a capacity of 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions between Ireland and Wales, providing benefits to electricity consumers on both sides of the Irish Sea.  It will have the potential to create access to a new market for energy generated in Wales, supporting the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.

EirGrid Awards Contract for Construction of the East West Interconnector

A proposed undersea electricity link between Wales and the Republic of Ireland has been approved by the Irish government.

The East West Interconnector is planned by EirGrid, the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland, and is due to be constructed over the next three years at a cost of approximately €600 million (£560m).
The new interconnector will have a capacity of 500MW and will be able to transport power in bulk and high quality in both directions.  It will involve the construction of a 260km cable and other infrastructure linking Ireland and North Wales, which will enable power to be exported and imported. The cable will run from a site near Dublin to Prestatyn.

EirGrid Chief Executive Dermot Byrne said

“The new Interconnector to the UK is absolutely vital for Ireland. It will help to ensure that Ireland has enough electricity to meet our needs into the future in a sustainable manner.  Importantly, the interconnector will also support the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security.”

Swedish Engineering firm ABB has been awarded the contract to design, manufacture and install EirGrid’s East West Electricity Interconnector. It is understood construction of this project will involve specialist international construction staff, and will also result in up to 100 jobs in Ireland during the construction period.

 “We are delighted to partner Eirgrid for this project,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “ABB’s HVDC Light technology will enhance the stability of both the Irish and U.K transmission grids, and also expand capacity for the use of renewable power.”

The proposed East West Interconnector is of strategic importance for Ireland and EirGrid has been progressing the Project as quickly as possible to deliver this critical infrastructure. The Project is currently awaiting planning approval in Ireland following a recent oral hearing of An Bord Pleanála.

Editors Notes

In the National Development Plan 2007 – 2013, the Irish Government has identified the need for a strategic energy link, in the form of an electrical High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnector, to be developed between Ireland and the UK. The interconnector is a major infrastructure initiative, which will involve the construction of approximately 260 km, 500 MW (HVDC) interconnector cable between Ireland and Britain. EirGrid, together with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) was appointed the task of arranging a competition to secure the construction of the East West Interconnector.

ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 120,000 people.