Eirgrid boss ‘wouldn’t like to live close to pylons’

The chairman designate of Eirgrid, the national power grid operator, has admitted that he would not like to live near electricity pylons.

John O’Connor, the former chairman of An Bord Pleanála, acknowledged his preference for not having pylons close to his home yesterday as they were visually intrusive and could cause shadows.

His stark admission came as the national power grid operator faces controversy over its €3.2bn Grid 25 plan to upgrade the network with hundreds of new pylons in several parts of the country.

One element of the plan — the €500m Grid Link project — to upgrade the network linking Leinster and Munster through overhead power lines from Knockraha in Co Cork to Dunstown, Co Kildare, has been widely condemned.

Mr O’Connor yesterday faced a barrage of criticism from members of the Oireachtas transport and communications committee over his planned appointment as Eirgrid chairman, especially given his previous role with An Bord Pleanála.

Mr O’Connor, from Cork, was chairman of the planning authority between 2000 and 2011, during which time a number of controversial decisions to approve wind farms were made.

Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan said the extent of cross-party opposition to his involvement with Eirgrid should lead him to reconsider his position.

At the end of a two and a half hour meeting, Mr O’Connor said he would discuss his situation with Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte.

Asked if he would like to live near pylons, he replied: “I wouldn’t to be honest. I wouldn’t like to live close to pylons… but who would?”

Pressed by Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, he defined “close” as around 50 metres, although he argued it was a hypothetical question.

Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley said his party could not support Mr O’Connor’s nomination and claimed his unique insight into the planning process created an imbalance between Eirgrid and communities opposed to pylons. An Bord Pleanála will make the final decision on Eirgrid’s plans under its Grid 25 projects.

Mr O’Connor — who was accused by Fine Gael TD Paudie Coffey of turning from “gamekeeper to poacher” — emphatically refuted any suggestion there was a conflict of interest between his new role and his past association with the planning authority.

He encouraged opponents of pylons not to jump to conclusions about Eirgrid during an ongoing consultation process which he promised would look at each concern in a transparent and honest manner.

Mr Coffey questioned Mr O’Connor’s judgment by pointing out a highly critical ruling by a High Court judge against An Bord Pleanála during his time as chairman over plans to build a landfill site at Usk in Co Kildare.

Asked by a number of TDs and senators about the need for an independent, cost-benefit analysis of using underground electricity power lines, Mr O’ Connor replied that it was something to which Eirgrid would have to pay considerable attention. He acknowledged the observation by Sinn Féin’s Michael Colreavy that pylons could affect the value of properties and said it was an issued that needed to be addressed.

He said he viewed becoming chairman as “quite a daunting prospect”, but Eirgrid’s key priorities would be to operate a safe, reliable, and economic electricity system across the island of Ireland.

He admitted the delivery of grid infrastructure was the “most challenging” aspect for Eirgrid given the level of public controversy surrounding its plans. He said he strongly subscribed to the idea of meaningful public consultation with local residents, property owners, and communities.

The Oireachtas committee will explore the issue further today when Eirgrid CEO Fintan Slye faces questions on how the concerns of affected communities can be addressed.

Electric issue

A 2012 independent report estimated the cost of electricity wires on the Meath-Tyrone 400KV interconnection underground at €330m more than overhead lines.

Ireland currently has the fourth highest consumer electricity prices in the EU.

Irish residential electricity prices are 15% above the EU average. Electricity prices for Irish industry are the 5th highest in the EU.

Industrial electricity prices are 13% above the EU average.