Interconnector aerial surveys denied

Both EirGrid and ESB Networks have flatly denied claims they dispatched spotter planes as part of controversial plans to advance the long-disputed North South Interconnector.

The explosive allegation surfaced during the May monthly meeting of Cavan County Council, during which Fianna Fáil's Clifford Kelly claimed aircraft had been spotted circling over east Cavan close to the proposed interconnector route on the very morning elected members gathered.

A long-time critic of the project, he has repeatedly sought updates from council officials regarding engagements with EirGrid, ESB Networks or any agents acting on their behalf.

Councillors were told there had been “nothing” in terms of correspondence over the previous month - but that did little to calm tensions surrounding the hugely divisive project.

In a dramatic intervention, Cllr Kelly described the timing of the aircraft sightings as “very interesting”, suggesting there appeared to be “some movement going on” behind the scenes.

The Kingscourt councillor warned that local opposition to the lines going over the ground remains deeply entrenched.

“Farmers will not allow them on their property,” he declared. “The situation is not going to be tolerated by farmers and the community.”

The interconnector proposal would link the electricity grids of Ireland and Northern Ireland through a vast 138km network of cables and towering pylons stretching from Meath through Cavan and Monaghan into Armagh and Tyrone.

Plans include 407 pylons - 306 in the Republic alone - cutting across 100km of countryside and directly impacting around 400 landowners.

Despite fierce resistance spanning almost two decades, the project was cleared to enter the construction phase in 2023, with the Department of the Environment originally indicating completion could be achieved by 2026.

More recently, however, EirGrid revised that completion date to late 2031, as outlined in EirGrid and SONI’s All-Island Resource Adequacy Assessment 2026-2035.

In an effort to ease tensions, EirGrid wrote to around 300 households located within 200 metres of proposed pylons outlining compensation packages on a sliding scale. Homeowners within 50 metres of a pylon’s centre point were offered €30,000, while those within 125 metres were offered €17,000. Properties within 200 metres could receive up to €5,000 per pylon.

That compensation drive intensified again in March this year when EirGrid issued another round of letters detailing three revised compensation options for landowners willing to allow infrastructure on or across their property.

One option - described as a settlement agreement - reportedly offered the same package previously proposed, including an additional €160 per metre of overhead line, but removed the requirement for an easement agreement.

Landowners were also presented with an upfront compensation option and a separate claims-based route.

In addition, so-called goodwill payments were promised to anyone signing up, while extra early sign-up bonuses were offered to those willing to accept either of the first two options within eight weeks of receiving correspondence.

The letters followed notification from ESB Networks that it intended to progress the project using powers under Section 53 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927 and could seek compulsory powers through the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to acquire easements or rights of access over affected lands if required.

When contacted by the Celt regarding Cllr Kelly’s comments, both EirGrid and ESB Networks denied carrying out any aerial surveys connected to the North South Interconnector last week.

ESB Networks further clarified it had “not commissioned” any aerial surveys “in recent times”. The Celt has since submitted a further query asking the company to clarify when such aerial surveys last took place.

Separately, ESB Networks confirmed it is “currently liaising” with relevant local authorities regarding conditions attached to planning permission and “plans to commence work” once these have been fully resolved.

“Both ESB Networks and EirGrid continue to engage with landowners along the route of the North South Interconnector, as well as other relevant stakeholders including the local authorities in counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment,” an ESB Networks spokesperson stated.

A spokesperson for EirGrid also reiterated that the interconnector is regarded as a “strategic priority infrastructure project” for the Irish electricity system and pointed to its inclusion in the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Report and Action Plan published in December 2025.

“It will improve the security of electricity supply and allow for more renewable energy to be integrated onto the grid and transported across the island,” the spokesperson said, citing independent estimates that the project could eventually save electricity consumers around €100 million annually.

“Delays to the project have not allowed these benefits to be realised as intended,” the EirGrid spokesperson admitted when responding to questions from this newspaper regarding escalating costs linked to the long-delayed development.

The latest setback comes amid a fresh legal challenge before the High Court in Belfast brought by campaign group SEAT, which represents approximately 6,500 residents and landowners, many of them small farmers.

The case currently stands adjourned while the group awaits a response from the Department for Infrastructure to a newly submitted expert report.

Like the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign and the County Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee in the South, SEAT maintains underground cabling remains the only modern, responsible solution.

EirGrid also confirmed it is preparing for a renewed phase of future planned engagement with communities affected.

“In the coming months EirGrid will engage with community and voluntary groups in the project areas of Monaghan, Cavan and Meath with a view to establishing community forums, in line with other projects delivered by the company,” the spokesperson said.

While responsibility for construction rests with ESB Networks, EirGrid said work is expected to begin in summer 2026, with development of a steel yard anticipated to mark the first stage of construction activity.

“EirGrid is committed to working with ESB to ensure the construction and delivery of the North South Interconnector,” the spokesperson added.