Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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465. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which north-south and east-west interconnectors are likely to become a reality, with a view to ensuring continuity and security of supply of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16784/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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On 27 March 2015 Eirgrid published, for public comment, a discussion paper on Ireland's grid development strategy - "Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow." The paper, which reviews, inter alia, the Grid Link, Grid West, and North South Transmission Line projects, confirms that Ireland’s overall energy transmission needs may be met with less new infrastructure build than previously anticipated because of new technological developments and updated projections of future electricity demand.

The discussion paper, which was subject to an independent peer review, confirms the need to reinforce the transmission system in the South East. It suggests an additional option to the original Grid Link options. The original options would require either (i) the construction of significant amounts of new overhead lines or (ii) the laying of significant amounts of underground cable. The additional option contained in the recently published discussion document would involve an underwater cable in the Shannon estuary and upgrading existing transmission lines rather than building new lines.

The discussion paper also puts forward options for Grid West. The options include underground cabling, a 400kV overhead line option, and a 220kV overhead line with some of the line placed underground.

The discussion paper reaffirms the need for the North South Transmission Line project and that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project.

The Deputy will be aware of the Independent Expert Panel (IEP) that is overseeing the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The EirGrid reports are required to be comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for the projects. They must also be complete, comparable (overhead line comparable against underground cable) and objective and include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. In due course, after consideration of the reports, the IEP will provide an opinion to me on both of them. Thereafter, EirGrid will publicly consult on each project. I expect to receive the IEP's opinion on the Grid West project over the coming days and the opinion on the Grid Link project in quarter three, 2015.

Once these steps have been completed, it will then be a matter for EirGrid, in consultation with the Commission for Energy Regulation, to make a decision on which option to pursue on each of the Grid Link and Grid West projects.

Each of these 3 major projects will be the subject of a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in due course.