Eirgrid project could cost €800m less

EIRGRID — the operator of the national electricity grid — estimates the cost of strengthening the transmission system for the next 25 years could come in €800 million under budget.

The body’s Grid25 project was initially expected to cost about €4 billion.

However, at the publication of its annual report and financial results for 2010, Eirgrid said that due to a combination of the introduction of new technology, the refining of grid projects and the overall reduction in electricity demand, “Grid25 could be delivered at a cost of 20% lower than previously estimated”.