Blackout risk ‘unless grid updated’

If the vital upgrade to the national grid is not carried out the whole country will face blackouts, according to Gridlink project manager John Lowry.

Speaking at the Energy Cork breakfast briefing, Mr Lowry said that the changes in the generation mix and the increased use of wind energy means that unless the grid is urgently upgraded there is a serious danger of the system collapsing.

“The changes on system means that there is the potential for voltage collapse, there is the potential for blackout should we not invest in the infrastructure. It is as simple as that. This project is needed by 2020. The longer we go without this infrastructure, the greater the risk it presents to the system,” Mr Lowry said.