EirGrid welcomes decision on North South Interconnector

EirGrid has welcomed the decision by Northern Ireland Minister Mallon to approve planning permission for the North South Interconnector north of the border.

The semi-state body says the project is "critical to improving the security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland, helping us to move towards 70% renewable electricity by 2030 in Ireland".

In a statement released this evening, Eirgrid said that the project is a much-needed, high capacity and resilient link between the electricity grids in Northern Ireland and Ireland and will remove costly blockages on the network. The company says it will allow for the flow of 900 MW of renewable electricity across the border, in both directions, enough to power 600,000 homes on green energy.

The has already received planning permission in the Republic and has been backed by both governments.

Commenting on today’s decision EirGrid CEO Mark Foley said: “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, helping to unlock a green economic recovery.

“As we move beyond the immediate COVID-19 crisis to a new reality, it is critical that government does all that it can to unlock the potential of the green recovery and a green jobs revolution. This project will create local construction jobs through its delivery programme; will help reduce the cost of electricity and will provide a route to market for renewable energy at a time when the green collar sector needs it most.

"The Interconnector is essential for ensuring local businesses have the power they need to expand and to attract Foreign Direct Investment, with investors seeking an efficient, green and secure electricity supply.

“Coupled with the extensive change needed to deal with the climate emergency, it is vital that Ireland’s electricity system plays its role in meeting these challenges. In this context, the North South Interconnector continues to underpin EirGrid’s vision for a clean energy system for Ireland."

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