MaresConnect, a 750 MW electricity interconnector that will link Ireland and Wales, has been included in the EU’s second list of Projects of Common/Mutual Interest (PCI/PMI), confirming its status as a priority energy infrastructure project.
According to developer MaresConnect Limited , owned by Foresight Energy Infrastructure Partners (FEIP) and Etchea Energy Nominees Limited (EENL), this designation provides the project with several advantages, including accelerated permitting procedures under the TEN-E Regulation, supporting efficient progression through regulatory milestones.
The project will also benefit from the eligibility to apply for Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding, covering up to 50% of eligible development costs.
The plan is to submit an application in the next available funding round, expected in the first or second quarter of 2026.
“Being included in the EU’s PCI/PMI list marks a major milestone for MaresConnect and underscores the project’s strategic role in enhancing regional energy security, enabling greater integration of renewables, and supporting Europe’s long-term decarbonisation objectives,” said Simon Ludlam , MaresConnect’s CEO.
“The inclusion in the PMI list also reflects the strong backing of both the Irish and UK governments for this important initiative. We look forward to working closely with our stakeholders in Ireland and Wales to deliver the project on a timely basis and in full alignment with the spirit and principles of the TEN-E regulations for PMI projects.”
MaresConnect will comprise a cable route of approximately 245 kilometers under the sea and underground between Dublin in Ireland and Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire in Wales.
The project secured an interconnector license from Ofgem in June 2022 and a 750 MW grid connection agreement at the National Grid’s Bodelwyddan substation. At the end of 2024, Great Britain’s energy market regulator approved the interconnector .
The interconnector is an integral part of the MARES project, which aims to integrate 1,750 MW of new renewable energy sources and 6 GWh of pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) in Mayo in the west of Ireland to the GB and SEM networks, as well as provide increased interconnector capacity and voltage stability.