EirGrid submits Celtic Interconnector planning application

Irish transmission system operator (TSO) EirGrid has submitted the planning application for the Celtic Interconnector to An Bord Pleanála.

The application includes a full Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement, as well as other plans and particulars.

An Bord Pleanála will assess the proposed project plan, including landfall, cable route, converter station, cable route and network connection and associated technologies as part of the planning process.

A seven-week period of statutory consultation is set to commence on 19 July.

In addition to the onshore planning application, a Foreshore Licence has been submitted for the offshore elements of the project in Ireland, which is a separate consenting process managed by the Foreshore Unit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

“The submission of this planning application for the Celtic Interconnector is a critical milestone. The delivery of this project will bring a number of benefits, including increasing Ireland’s security of electricity supply by providing a direct connection to another EU country,” said EirGrid chief infrastructure officer Michael Mahon.

“The Celtic Interconnector project has been developed over many years in consultation with affected communities along the route and we are grateful to everyone who has contributed to helping us reach this milestone.”

The Celtic Interconnector electricity link between Ireland and France is being developed by RTE France and EirGrid.

The interconnector will make landfall at Claycastle Beach near Youghal in East Cork. From there an underground cable will run inland on the national road and continue on local roads to the east and north of Midleton to a converter station. This will be built at Ballyadam to the east of Carrigtwohill.

The final connection will be by underground cable from Ballyadam to a substation on the national grid at Knockraha.

The link, which will be able to transmit up to 700MW of electricity and provide a direct fiber-optic communications link between the two countries, is scheduled to go live in 2026.