Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the projected cost of the 500MW east-west interconnector provided for in the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8663/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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In July 2006 the Government made a decision approving plans for the construction of a single 500 megawatt electricity interconnector between Ireland and Great Britain. On foot of the Government decision, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has been requested to proceed with a competition to select a developer to secure the design and construction of this interconnector by 2012 at the latest. The delivery of the project effectively and to the most aggressive timetable achievable, will be key considerations, together with price.

Current cost estimates for the construction of the interconnector and the associated reinforcements of the land system are tentative both in terms of the associated incremental reinforcement works to the grids on both sides of the Irish Sea as well as those exclusively related to the interconnector. It will be only at or near the contract procurement stage that more concrete cost figures will emerge both in relation to capital costs and subsequent operational costs. Providing cost estimates at this stage would be premature as this could prejudice the competitive process.