EirGrid, Ireland’s electricity grid operator, last Friday announced plans to replace the Grid West electricity transmission project with a smaller-scale development. The Grid West project was proposed in 2012 to connect large amounts of renewable energy to the grid. The decision to replace it was made due to the lower than expected amounts of wind generation in the north Connacht region.
This means renewable generation can now be connected through the development of a lower voltage, 110 kV line carried on poles; not the 220 kV or 400 kV schemes previously proposed under Grid West. EirGrid is continuing technical studies on the project and over the coming months will engage with landowners, communities, and stakeholders in the region. Those affected by the new proposal will have an opportunity to influence the decisions EirGrid makes.
Rosemary Steen, EirGrid director of external affairs, said: “Our planning team continually assesses the need to develop the grid and it is clear that as a result of recent review, the Grid West project is no longer required. Landowners and communities in the region have been waiting some time for a decision on the Grid West project. We look forward to working in partnership with them to identify the best possible approach in developing robust electricity infrastructure in the region.”
Mayo County Council today welcomed the revamped Grid West Project with Mayo County Council chief executive, Peter Hynes, saying: “This is a very welcome step forward which will expedite the delivery of a much needed upgrade to the electrical infrastructure in the county. It will cater for the vast bulk of our renewable energy generation needs and will provide significant capacity for industrial development in the short and medium term.” Councillor Richard Finn, Cathaoirleach of the council, said: “It is good to see that community concerns had been taken on board and look forward to the new proposal moving through the design and construction stages for the benefit of all of the people of Mayo.”
However, The Moy Valley Protection Group condemned the latest announcement from Eirgrid regarding the Grid West Line. In a statement it said: "None of the groups representing the affected communities and landowners were contacted before the latest plan was announced nor were they given any opportunity to give their views on this plan before it was announced in a press conference yesterday. In addition none of the groups representing the affected communities and landowners were invited to the press conference nor were they given any prior notice that it was to occur."
They continued: "In their announcement Eirgrid have even been disingenuous about why Grid West was proposed in the first place. It was put in place specifically to transport the power from Phase 2 of the Oweninney Wind Farm and the whole of the Cluddaun Wind Farm. Neither of these developments were given planning permission by An Bord Pleanala so as a result there should be absolutely no need for Grid West."
