Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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518. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the EirGrid Review of their Grid 25 project which was due for publication in January 2015; and if he will confirm the revised intended publication date; and if the EirGrid report will be subject to an independent review. [6780/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Grid25 comprises over 100 projects ranging from large projects such as Grid West, Grid Link and the North South Transmission Line, to smaller projects, station works and upgrades of existing transmission lines around Ireland. EirGrid reviews all projects at regular intervals.

The overall Grid25 Strategy was forecast to cost up to €4 billion at its launch in 2007. In the 2010 review of Grid25, the identification and use of new technologies, together with the re-optimisation of the Grid25 programme, as well as the slower than expected increase in economic activity forecasted, enabled EirGrid to reduce the estimated cost of the programme from €4 billion to €3.2 billion.

EirGrid has engaged expert assistance in carrying out and peer reviewing the current review which is expected to be completed shortly.

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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519. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when EirGrid plans to publish its preferred overground and underground routes for the Gridlink proposal. [6781/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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In January 2014, my predecessor established an Independent Expert Panel to oversee preparation by EirGrid of the comprehensive, route specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The studies and reports are to include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors.

In due course, the Panel will provide me with an opinion on the completeness, objectivity and comparability of the studies and reports and will oversee their publication by EirGrid prior to the company proceeding to public consultation on the two projects.

EirGrid does not expect to complete its studies and reports until the middle of 2015. The Panel expects to be in a position to provide me with an opinion on the Grid Link project in Quarter 3 this year.