Eirgrid rejects underground idea

Eirgrid has rejected arguments for putting a high-voltage electricity line, which is planned to run through a large stretch of West Cork, underground.

There are strong local objections to the 40km line, due to go from Clashavoon, about six miles north of Macroom, to Dunmanway, amid claims that the rural landscape would be irreversibly damaged.

Eirgrid, which provides electricity transmission services, says the line is necessary as a back up to two 100KV lines so as to secure a supply to the region.

On day three of a Bord Pleanála hearing in Macroom, people living along the route called for the line to be put underground.

However, Eirgrid technical specialist Aidan Geoghegan said an underground cable would cost €14.3m more than the proposed €20m overhead line.

He said while overhead lines had more faults that required repairs, the average time to repair an underground fault was 20 days longer. “The net effect of this is that it can be expected that an overhead line will have a much better level of availability [of service] than an underground cable.”

He also said both types of line had environmental impacts and further disclosed hybrid underground/overhead lines were available, but with limitations.

Lamb producer Sean Dennehy, of Shandangan, Carrigadrohid, said a new powerline across his land would make it impossible to showcase his lamb production operation to international delegations.

Tom O’Driscoll, a chartered surveyor from Kilcondy, said it would form an “excessively prominent and obstructive feature” on the landscape and urged the board to direct that the line be put underground.

The hearing is due to conclude today.