State may have to match EU grants for electricity

The Government will have to match €100 million from the EU towards constructing high-tension electricity cables between Ireland and Britain and put the grant out to tender, according to the European Commission.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan made it clear that the money was earmarked for the state-owned EirGrid interconnector and that it is awaiting planning permission.

But Imera, a privately owned company with permission to build three interconnectors between Ireland, Britain and France, says it wants 75% of the money. Imera’s chief executive, Rory O’Neill, is due to meet Minister Ryan today when he will make the case for a share of the funding.