504 MW link between Ireland and Great Britain begins commercial operations

The Greenlink interconnector linking the electricity grids of Ireland and Great Britain has officially entered commercial operation, following more than three years of construction.

The start of commercial operations took place on January 29 and was announced by James O’Reilly, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Greenlink Interconnector Limited.

The 504 MW HVDC interconnector provides a new grid connection between EirGrid’s Great Island substation in County Wexford, Ireland, and the National Grid’s Pembroke substation in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The power will be able to flow in either direction, depending on supply and demand.

The project is said to be the first privately financed interconnector in Europe supported under the Cap & Floor regulatory regimes in the UK and Ireland.

Core consents were obtained in 2021 and onshore construction work started in January 2022.

The contract for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) is held by a consortium comprised of Siemens Energy and Sumitomo Electric.