Interconnector ‘has potential to lower electricity prices’

The new energy link connecting Ireland and Britain has the potential to lower retail electricity prices for Irish consumers, grid operator, Eirgrid has said.

Yesterday, the company officially opened the East West Interconnector — running between Woodland in Co Meath and Deeside in north Wales — ahead of it technically coming on stream in October. Built for €30m under its original €600m budget, the link has the capacity to transport 500 megawatts — either by importing from Britain and Europe or by exporting from Ireland. That is enough to power 300,000 homes and equates to around 10% of Ireland’s peak energy demands.

The 186km-long sub-sea cable is ready to operate just three years after receiving planning approval.