Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 688: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made in preparing for the construction of a second electricity interconnector to Northern Ireland, and of electricity interconnectors to Great Britain and north west Europe as announced in the White Paper on Energy. [30915/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government attaches the highest priority to the development of electricity interconnection between Ireland, Great Britain and, over time, other EU Member States. Greater interconnection between Member States is also a key priority for the European Union to ensure the effective working of the Internal Energy Market.

The second interconnector with Northern Ireland is being progressed by EirGrid and its northern counterpart SONI, at the request of the two Energy Regulators, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR).

The second interconnector project entails the construction of a new 400kV line between Cavan and Tyrone, which will more than double the current cross-border power transfer capacity to over 600 megawatts. I am advised that the proposed overhead line will span approximately 35km in Northern Ireland and approximately 45km in Ireland, and will be routed from a proposed new substation near Kingscourt in County Cavan, through County Monaghan and onwards to County Tyrone.

EirGrid is undertaking public consultations on a number of proposed routes with a view to identifying for public presentation, a preferred route, having regard for all relevant considerations by early 2008. Further studies on the proposed route may be undertaken at this point prior to preparing a planning application and Environmental Impact Assessments. The project is scheduled to be completed no later than 2012.

The east/west electricity interconnector with Great Britain is being progressed to schedule. On foot of the Government decision in 2006, the CER, together with EirGrid is finalising competition to secure the construction of the 500 megawatt interconnector no later than 2012. The Government also decided in 2006 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. I am advised by EirGrid that a connection point in Deeside in North Wales is under consideration. The final subsea route will be confirmed in light of the results of detailed feasibility and marine surveys.

To oversee and ensure delivery of the interconnector to schedule, a high-level coordination group has been established under the aegis of the CER with the direct involvement 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.

At the Government's request, EirGrid is also undertaking cost benefit analysis and feasibility planning for further interconnection with the United Kingdom and potentially with Europe in the longer term, which will inform decision-making on a medium to longer term interconnection strategy.