Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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483. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which access to north, south, east and west interconnectors remains available as a means of ensuring access to alternative energy and sale of electricity to the international grid on foot of alternative energy production here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30148/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Ireland’s energy policy emphasises the important role of interconnection in the transition to a low carbon energy future. One of the key requirements identified in the Energy White Paper is the need for appropriate energy infrastructure, including energy networks and interconnection with other countries’ energy systems.

On 19 December 2016, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the North-South Interconnector project in Ireland. The planning process for the section of the project in Northern Ireland is underway. This interconnector will help facilitate increased levels of renewable electricity and increase our energy independence by reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas.

The East-West Interconnector (EWIC) is a 500MW electricity interconnector that connects Ireland and Great Britain. It has been in operation since 2012 and allows the trading of electricity between the island of Ireland and British wholesale electricity markets. EWIC helps to facilitate the growth in renewable electricity by providing access to a larger market.

Two other interconnector projects are currently proposed. The Celtic Interconnector proposes to link Ireland and France and the Greenlink interconnector proposes to link Ireland and Wales. Both projects provide the opportunity for increased renewable electricity and the sale of electricity, generated from renewable sources in Ireland, to be traded internationally.