Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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92. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent decision by Eirgrid to re-route the Grid Link project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38954/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Independent Expert Panel considering EirGrid's Grid West and Grid Link projects was appointed on foot of a Government decision in January 2014.

In line with the Government decision, the Panel was asked to oversee the integrity of a process to be undertaken by EirGrid to report on the Grid West and Grid Link projects. In May 2014 the Panel approved the Terms of Reference for comprehensive, route specific studies/reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for each of the Grid West and Grid Link projects, including assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors.

EirGrid provided its report on the Grid Link project to the Panel on 28 September 2015. The report set out an analysis of alternative options to meet the needs of the Grid Link project. The report considered both overhead and underground solutions. In addition to this, EirGrid set out a new and innovative technical solution, referred to as the ‘regional option’, based on technology which is capable of strengthening the existing grid infrastructure in the region.

The ‘regional option’ alternative was first published by EirGrid in March 2015, in its ‘Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow’ draft strategy document. The regional option proposes to use the existing 400kv grid infrastructure from Moneypoint to the greater Dublin area instead of constructing any new overhead or underground solutions for Grid Link. The regional option uses a technology known as ‘series compensation’. This would be the first time it will be deployed on the Irish transmission grid. It is an advanced, smart grid technology that will enable more power to flow through existing lines. EirGrid's Report on Grid Link to the Panel highlights: (i) that many respondents to the Grid Development Strategy Discussion Document welcomed the regional option, and (ii) EirGrid's preference for the regional option as the optimal solution for Grid Link at this time.

There is now no requirement to proceed with the previously proposed Grid Link 400 kV overhead line. This represents a good outcome, following a comprehensive and transparent process, which ensures that energy demands for the region can be met at least cost to energy consumers.