Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the work to date of the expert panel reviewing the Grid Link project; if it has appointed any external advisers; when he expects its work to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44677/14]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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159. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on an extension of the terms of reference of the independent expert panel reviewing the Grid Link and Grid West projects to incorporate a review of the overall need for Grid25; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44681/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

In January 2014, an independent panel of experts, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuiness, was established to examine the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The Panel met on several occasions since then to consider and approve the terms of reference for comprehensive, route specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for each of the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The studies and reports are required to include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. The terms of reference for the works to be carried out were published in May and are available on my Department’s website.

EirGrid will either undertake or commission the necessary work in accordance with those terms of reference set by the Panel. In due course, the Panel will provide an opinion to me on the completeness, objectivity and comparability of the studies and reports and will oversee the publication by EirGrid of the two studies and reports prior to EirGrid proceeding to public consultation on the two projects. The Panel expects to be in a position to provide an opinion to me on the Grid West project in Q1 2015. An opinion on the Grid Link project is expected in Q3 2015.

In relation to the Grid25 Strategy, the overall strategy was forecast to cost up to €4 billion at its launch in 2007. EirGrid reviews all projects and strategies at regular intervals to take into account relevant developments including economic conditions and electricity demand forecasts. In 2010, a review of Grid25 resulted in EirGrid reducing the estimated cost of the programme to €3.2 billion. EirGrid is currently undertaking a further review which it expects to complete in Q1 2015.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the relationship between Grid25 and any possible future interconnection with Europe; his views on if additional independent reviews of this policy are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44685/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Grid25 Strategy focusses on major transmission system investment in order to meet Ireland’s long term energy needs and aligns with the Government’s target of having 40% of electricity generated from renewable resources by 2020.

EirGrid has a statutory obligation to explore and develop opportunities for interconnection with other transmission systems. Enhanced security of supply, increased competitiveness, ability to integrate greater quantities of renewable generation resources and development of a significant renewable energy export industry are the potential benefits of further interconnection.

In the context of achieving a fully functioning and connected internal energy market, measures are expected to be taken at EU and member state levels to increase electricity interconnections between EU member states by 2020. These measures will be pursued through the implementation of EU "Projects of Common Interest" (PCIs).

In June 2013, EirGrid and its French counterpart, RTE (Réseau de transport d’électricité) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to commission studies on the feasibility of building a submarine electricity interconnector between Ireland and France. Pre-feasibility studies to investigate a possible interconnector took place between 2011 and 2013. The studies will involve desktop studies and marine survey studies to collect data to inform a decision on the feasibility and possible benefits of such an interconnector. If, on completion of the studies, the project is deemed viable, both partners would then decide on progression to the planning and development stages. The project is on the current list of PCIs adopted by the European Commission.