€110m signed off for Irish electricity inter-connector

The European Commission has awarded a grant of €110m for the electricity inter-connector between Co Meath and Deeside (Wales), it was announced today.

The grant is for up to 50% of the project which will be undertaken by Eigrid and co-financed by the Irish authorities.

The inter-connector is one of 43 electricity and gas pipeline projects across the EU selected for the award of a grant and forms part of a €4bn package of economic recovery projects, €2.3bn of which is for energy projects. This is the largest amount the EU has ever spent on energy infrastructure.

The grants are being made to projects which are at risk of major delay because of the economic downturn.

"Under the EU's Recovery Plan we finance 'smart investment' – a short-term stimulus targeted on long-term goals," said EC President José Manuel Barroso.

"Investing in key infrastructure will not only give a push to the economy and employment, but it will also help ensuring that citizens homes will have heating and electricity, even in the event of supply disruptions."