Eirgrid plans €1bn link to France

Eirgrid is planning a €1bn interconnector to France to be completed by 2025 as part of a plan to integrate Ireland into the wider European electric grid.

The operators of the Irish electricity network said they were in advanced talks with the operators of the French national grid, Réseau de Transport d’Électricité, and would complete the final part of pre-tender planning by early next year.

A multi-million euro seabed survey between Ireland and France will be the final part of the jigsaw before Eirgrid starts tendering, chief executive Fintan Slye said at the launch of Eirgrid’s annual report in Cork.