EirGrid conducts aerial survey ahead of pylon plan

Sean McMahon

EirGrid’s aerial survey of the proposed route for the North South 400kV Interconnection Development commenced on Monday of this week was branded as ‘another issue’ by campaigners opposed to the controversial pylon plan. The survey of the route involves a helicopter flying at a height of approximately 200 metres along the proposed route.
The helicopter is using Lidar, which is a remote sensing technology using high resolution cameras to map physical features and provide a three dimensional image.
Deborah Meghen, EirGrid regional manager, commented: “We want to make people along the route aware of what we are doing and particularly to notify landowners in case they feel it’s necessary to take any precautions with regard to the management of livestock.
“This survey will provide us with a very detailed image of what is on the proposed route for the power line. This will be very helpful in preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) that will accompany the planning application for the project.”
The aerial survey is expected to take a week, depending on weather conditions, however campaigners opposed to the plan were not impressed.
“This is another issue for landowners to deal with, where cattle can be frightened by these low flying helicopters,” Padraig O’Reilly from NEPP told the Celt. “It adds another issue to the whole project they are planning for the overhead lines. If they were going underground they would not need to do any of the aerial surveys.”
The proposed scheme links Woodland, County Meath with Turleenan in County Tyrone and will provide a second high-capacity electricity transmission line between the Republic and the North. EirGrid will apply for planning approval for the North South 400kV Interconnection Development, that part of the scheme located in the Republic.