Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Good morning, Deputy McGrath. I hope that, as he told me, the people of Marino, Raheny and Clontarf are still welcoming my legislative proposals. I am very pleased about that. In response to Deputy Colreavy, the Taoiseach's reference to the programme of work is a reference to EirGrid's programme of work.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 11, 13, 18 and 122 together.

EirGrid’s Grid25 national transmission grid development programme is vital for future socio-economic progress in Ireland, for regional development throughout Ireland, and to ensure that current and future generations of consumers have access to more reliable, sustainable and affordable energy. Grid25 represents an investment in the electricity transmission system of around €3.2 billion in the coming 15 to 20 years.

During the course of engagement by EirGrid in the recent public consultation processes, and most recently in regard to the Grid Link project, on which 35,000 submissions were received, a number of key concerns emerged. This has necessitated considerable review and reflection in order to determine the optimum approach needed to address those concerns that are valid, while at the same time ensuring adequate and effective transmission capacity in the State. Arising from examination of the concerns expressed, I have proposed a number of measures to deal with the immediate concerns on the Grid West and Grid Link projects, while also addressing the generality of commentary on the need to improve stakeholder and community engagement on all Grid25 projects for the future.

As Deputy Colreavy said, I have appointed an independent panel of experts, to be chaired by former Supreme Court judge, Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness. The panel of experts will decide the terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of fully underground and overhead options for both the Grid Link and the Grid West projects. The panel will be required to ensure that the studies are complete, objective and comparable, and will report to me on these matters in due course. Both the overhead and underground options will be published side-by-side, in objective and comparable terms, before consideration is given to the appropriate next steps for each of the projects.

EirGrid will be required to undertake the two studies, as determined by the independent panel of experts, which will take account of, inter alia, environmental and visual amenity impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. The independent panel will have power to commission additional work if there is any perceived deficiency in the studies presented.

Detailed studies have already been conducted for the North-South transmission line, including consideration of a route-specific underground option and, most recently, an assessment by the independent international commission of experts, appointed in July 2011, which reported in February 2012. Previously, in 2009, the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources commissioned an independent study on the comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission lines versus underground cables. That study was conducted by international consultants, Ecofys. The route-specific underground analysis, conducted by PB Power, found that the cost of undergrounding would significantly exceed the cost of the more usual overhead cables. The PB Power analysis was considered and confirmed by the independent commission, which estimated that the cost of undergrounding would be at least three times that of overhead cables. EirGrid has taken full account of the contents of those studies in finalising the planning application. I understand An Bord Pleanála will be considering the alternatives, including the possible use of underground cables, considered by EirGrid prior to EirGrid's selection of the preferred overhead option. EirGrid will be required to present its position on the alternatives in its environmental impact statement, which will form part of its planning application. The application is expected to be lodged shortly with An Bord Pleanála.

As the Deputies will know, EirGrid has been engaging in comprehensive processes in regard to Grid Link and Grid West, including the opening of regional information centres. EirGrid has set out its vision for development of the national transmission system through the Grid25 strategy which was published in October 2008. In accordance with its statutory and licence responsibilities as the transmission system operator, the company has prepared a transmission development plan for the period 2013 to 2023. The transmission development plan presents the developments which will be required to deliver the Grid25 strategy, meeting future requirements as they are known at this time, including the requirement to accommodate renewable generation. The vision articulated in the Grid25 strategy is assessed and reassessed on a regular basis, having regard to current and future demand and other factors, and is consulted on through the transmission development plan. Details of the strategy and the transmission development plan for 2013 to 2023 are available on the EirGrid website. In addition, at a project level, detailed needs assessments for each of the major Grid25 projects have been undertaken and are available on EirGrid's website.

It is my strong wish that these measures will comprehensively address the issues that have arisen with the Grid25 projects to the satisfaction of all interested parties.

See this speech in context