Ofgem grants electricity interconnector license for Great Britain-Ireland link

UK energy market regulator Ofgem has granted an electricity interconnector license for the MaresConnect Interconnector that will link Ireland and Great Britain.

The license, granted on 27 June, authorizes MaresConnect Limited to participate in the operation of the interconnector that will link the Bodelwyddan 400kV substation in Great Britain and Maynooth 220kV substation in Ireland.

Ofgem emphasized that the license is not an authorization to operate the interconnector under any specific regime, such as the merchant-exempt route or the cap and floor regime.

Furthermore, the construction of the interconnector is subject to separate planning processes including the obtaining of any consents or permits required from relevant authorities, including the relevant planning authority.

To remind, MaresConnect Limited submitted the application for the license to Ofgem in April.

The MaresConnect 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.

An electricity grid connection agreement for the link is already in place between MaresConnect and National Grid’s Bodelwydden substation in Wales.

The project developer is planning to start construction in 2025, with operations expected in 2027.

With its nominal capacity of 750 MW, the project will be able to power 570,000 homes when fully utilized.

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