Written answers

Thursday, 11 October 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Electricity Network

5:00 pm

Photo of Chris AndrewsChris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the progress of the east west interconnector. [23217/07]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government is giving high priority to the development of the East West electricity interconnector between Ireland and Britain. The Energy Policy White Paper and the Programme for Government underline this commitment, which will contribute to security of supply and competitiveness. Greater interconnection between Member States is also a key priority for the European Union to ensure the effective working of the Internal Market.

I can advise the Deputy that work on the project is progressing well. On foot of the Government decision in 2006 the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is arranging the design of a competition to secure the construction of the 500 megawatt interconnector at the earliest possible date before 2012. The Government also decided that the interconnector will, as a national strategic asset, remain in public ownership and will be owned by EirGrid.

EirGrid is progressing work on route selection and technical specification of the interconnector and has recently announced that Woodland in County Meath is the most favoured connection point on the Irish side. Work is also advancing, with the relevant authorities on finalising the connection point on the west coast of Britain. EirGrid, overseen by the CER, is also finalising the competition structure, documentation and related contractual arrangements, with a view to going to market to the end of 2007.

To oversee and ensure delivery of the interconnector to schedule, a high level co-ordination group has been established under the Chairmanship of the CER and comprising representatives of EirGrid and my Department.

The Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure Act) 2006, which provides for a streamlined planning process for strategic infrastructure developments, includes special provisions designed to expedite the planning process for electricity interconnector projects. To underpin the interconnector development process, new arrangements have been made in respect of the construction and governance under licence of interconnector operators by the CER in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006. In particular, the Act provides that the CER may, with Ministerial consent, secure the construction of an interconnector. Such consent will be contingent on final Government approval. As regards funding, the CER and EirGrid are working to determine the most cost-effective and efficient solution and this will be part of the submission for Government offered to proceed with construction.

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