Residents furious over new ESB substation

Residents living in an East Cork village have reacted with anger to revelations that Eirgrid want to develop another substation in their locality as part of the €500m Grid Link project which will see a 500km chain of pylons built from the south to the east of the country.

The residents of Knockraha have already expressed their objections to the construction of the pylons, but a newly-formed residents group is calling for the 400kV substation to be built elsewhere as they already have an Eirgrid/ESB substation in the village, which is due to be reconfigured and extended.

“We are unique to other anti-pylon groups as we are facing two threats, not only more pylons but also this second substation which we want built elsewhere. Our fear is that the second substation would be nearer to the school; the existing substation is 1,500 metres away,” said Noelle Murphy of the Knockraha Area Community Association.

“We think it should be situated at a more sparsely populated site.”

However, EirGrid say the location of the new 400kV substation has not been decided.

“Among the possibilities being considered are that it would be co-located with the existing substation, constructed in the immediate vicinity, or constructed at a new site remote from the existing substation and linked to it,” a spokesman said. They urged locals to make their views known via the public consultation process continuing until Jan 7.

The Knockraha group fear the new pylons “will be the size of County Hall in terms of visual impact” and have criticised the noise pollution from the existing substation.

Eirgrid has said that the existing ESB substation at Knockraha “has been a hub for electricity in the south of the country since the 1960s and was identified as the most appropriate point for connecting a new 400kV line”. They say any noise issues at the existing substation will be dealt with as part of the re-configuration.

“Grid Link is essential to ensure that Ireland’s future energy needs are met. It will guarantee a secure, high-quality, energy supply for families, employers and communities across for decades to come. Our most recent 10-year forecast, published earlier this year, states that peak demand for electricity is expected to increase by 12.6% between now and 2022,” a spokesman said.

Residents want the new 400kV powerline to be run underground and any powerlines between the existing substation and new one also underground.

An Eirgrid spokesman said: “Should the new substation be located adjacent to the existing substation there will be no need for additional lines to connect the substations; however, should the new substation be located away from the existing substation then a connection would be required. The type of connection, overhead or underground, has not been identified at this stage,” he said.

The local action group in Knockraha also questioned the need for the new substation, claiming the existing station is only running at 40% capacity. But Eirgrid have said excess capacity is needed as the demand for electricity grows and also to cope with emergencies. They said the older substation also needs to become more reliable and flexible.

Health Minister #Reilly letter raises health fears over pylons #Eirgrid #Gridlink #Knockraha #Pylons @irishexaminerhttp://t.co/s7fMkwBFcn

— Knockraha EnvironGrp (@KnockrahaEnviro) December 30, 2013