Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 416: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the completion time of the interconnector between Ireland and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32179/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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EirGrid the State owned transmission system operator is building the East West Interconnector, on behalf of the State, between the electricity grids of Ireland and Britain. The construction and operation of the East West Interconnector is the statutory responsibility of EirGrid. The project is on schedule and on budget for completion by September next. The cost of the Interconnector is underwritten by all electricity customers under the regulatory model implemented by the Commission for Energy Regulation.

The European Commission is giving strategic priority to strengthening electricity interconnection across Europe. The strategic importance of the East West Interconnector project was recognised by the Commission with the granting of aid of €110m to EirGrid for the project in 2009 as part of the EU's economic recovery support package for European interconnection and energy infrastructure.

The East West Interconnector is a strategically vital energy project for the island of Ireland. It will critically contribute to national security of energy supply and competition as well as underpinning the progressive development of renewable energy, and the convergence of the electricity markets across these islands.