EirGrid has announced the commencement of the second round of public consultation on the Grid West project and has also invited the public to attend an open day in their area. The two Mayo open days take place on Tuesday August 28 at Kiltane GAA Club, Bangor Erris, from 1pm to 8pm, and on Tuesday September 4 at the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, from 1pm to 8pm.
This second round of public consultation will focus on information gathered over the past number of months in relation to the study area for the proposed Grid West electricity development.
The Grid West project will deliver 21st century energy infrastructure to the west of Ireland. By connecting the electricity generated by the region’s renewable energy resources, the project will facilitate significant job creation and investment as well as contributing to national recovery and growth. The Grid West project is part of Grid25, EirGrid’s plan to develop and upgrade the national electricity transmission network from now until 2025.
The project will initially consist of a new high capacity power line linking Bellacorick in County Mayo to a strong point on the transmission grid. Based on the region’s huge renewable potential it is envisaged that, in time, the project will involve two high capacity power lines from Bellacorick, County Mayo, to both Cashla in County Galway and Flagford in County Roscommon.
Alan McHugh, project manager for Grid West, said that since the launch of the project on May 4 2012 by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, there has been a very positive level of engagement from the community with a clear recognition of the significant benefit the project will bring to the region.
The Grid West project team has now completed a comprehensive constraints report which identifies key points of note in the study area such as heritage sites, national monuments, areas designated for conservation, towns, villages, and communities and all existing infrastructure like transmission lines, roads, and railways, which may have a bearing on the project.
EirGrid is asking the public to view the work which has been carried out to date and to share their views. This feedback will influence the identification of potential corridors for the new development.
Mr McHugh said, “While we are confident that we have a very comprehensive list of constraints, we know that people who are based within the study area can greatly help us with their local knowledge, often providing information that may not be in maps or plans or developed on a national scale. During the first round of consultation people in the region told us of the importance to them of early and open consultation on major infrastructural projects. We want to continue our consultation now and ensure everyone has an opportunity to give their views on the project.”
