Eirgrid should rethink the overland option

This county and catchment area is all in favour of progress and the project to install two major new 400kv electricity transmission lines through Meath, Cavan and Monaghan to provide a high quality and reliable electricity supply to the North East region is most welcome. The new transmission lines will also form an inter connector with the Northern Ireland electricity grid thus creating an all island electricity supply system to the mutual benefit of people in both jurisdictions. It is another tangible example of meaningful Cross Border co-operation in a new political climate. However, there is intense concern amongst communities living along the route of the new transmission lines. The 400kv lines in question are a sure and powerful means of delivering electricity. Eirgrid, the promoters of the project on behalf of the State, are advocating that the cables in question should proceed overland on high steel pylons. They say that this is the best means of delivery for many reasons most notably for the speed with which repairs can be undertaken to faults in the system. They claim that the placing of the cables underground will result in delays lasting weeks in affecting repairs. Nevertheless, there is opposition amongst a broad spectrum of the population in relation to the overlanding as against the undergrounding of the project. There are genuine fears on health grounds and it is hard to convince people that there is no health risk. There is a fear amongst very many people of phone masts and of high voltage cables and pylons and this fear is likely to remain into the foreseeable future as people remain unconvinced of the arguments that there is no threat to health. In this climate of public concern it is advisable for the Government and for Eirgrid to give further consideration to placing the 400 kv cables under ground. It is understandably much more costly but it maybe a wise investment in the long run. As well as the concerns about health there is also the visual aspect and the negative affects that the project, if it is brought overland, may have on scenic areas such as Lough an Leagh in East Cavan. Eirgrid are engaging in considerable public consultation but they would be well advised to have a rethink on the project in terms of how it is delivered. Engaging with those involved in the delivery of such projects on the continent and further afield would be advisable. Europe is already criss crossed by such heavy duty transmission lines but if there is a change there and a move away from the overland method then we would be best served embracing any new thinking on the matter.