Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of people regarding the erection of 400kV power lines in certain parts of the country; his views on installing these power lines underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33069/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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European Union policy seeks to ensure secure and competitively priced electricity markets into the future. Better interconnection between electricity systems is a key aspect of this policy and the White Paper "Delivering a sustainable energy future for Ireland" underlines Ireland's commitment to a more sustainable energy future through a range of measures including increased electricity and gas interconnection.

The Single Electricity Market for Ireland came into effect on 1st November this year. As part of this market development, and to promote competition and better sharing of resources, EirGrid is developing a second North South electricity interconnector. The increased capacity provided by this interconnector is also intended to facilitate fuel savings, lower emissions and increased integration of wind generated energy. In addition to the benefits on an all island basis, EirGrid is strengthening the high voltage network in Counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, thereby adding to the availability of bulk high quality power in the North East. Strengthening of the network in this way will greatly improve the electricity infrastructure in these areas and their attractiveness for investment.

The planning and development of these 400kV lines is an operational matter for EirGrid and I have no statutory function in this matter. I have, however, received the following advice from EirGrid on the undergrounding of 400kV power lines. Internationally, high voltage electricity lines are placed underground only in heavily built up areas. This does not apply in this case and overhead lines are the most technically feasible solution to providing a secure and reliable supply of high voltage electricity to the North East. Overhead lines are also by far the most economic way of transporting power, with underground lines costing between 6 and 10 times as much as standard overhead lines. This is important bearing in mind that electricity networks are financed by all electricity customers. In addition, finding and repairing a fault on an overhead line can usually be done within hours, whereas the same process for an underground line can take weeks if not months to effect. A time delay in repairing a fault in a high voltage power line could cause a lengthy and significant loss of power to a large number of customers.

To the best of EirGrid's knowledge, there is no 400kV Alternating Current (AC) line of the length proposed in these two projects placed underground in any part of the world. Some 97% of the onshore high voltage transmission network in Europe is of high voltage alternating current carried by overhead lines.

In routing overhead lines EirGrid aims to keep as far away from communities and houses as possible, and a minimum clearance of 50 metres is the routing aim. The possible routes for the two 400kV power lines are currently the subject of public consultation by EirGrid.