East Cork area could get third Eirgrid project

Residents of an East Cork community fear their locality may be chosen for a third Eirgrid development after the State-owned electricity operator indicated it would be carrying out tests in the area for a potential international connection with the continent.

Eirgrid has written to Knockraha Community Council to inform the group it has applied for a licence to carry out a marine survey on the East Cork coast as part of a feasibility study for the Celtic Interconnector — an electricity interconnector between Ireland and France.

However, Noelle Murphy, chairperson of the council’s environmental sub group, said that the proposal is the latest in a series of potential Eirgrid projects in the area.

She said that if they were all brought to fruition, Eirgrid would require some 110 acres for its facilities — nearly seven times the size of Croke Park.

“We are very concerned about this project.

“The most concerning part of this is that the general public are totally unaware of the huge plans that will come down the road to Knockraha within the next few years,” she said.

Eirgrid already has a 21-acre site in the area, with an appeal for a nine-acre expansion currently with an Bord Pleanála.

The Gridlink pylon project, which would see a corridor of 400kV pylons built from Cork to Wexford and on to Kildare, is also set to have a terminal station in Knockraha, which Ms Murphy said would need another 40 acres.

She estimates that another 40 acres would be needed should the Celtic Interconnector get the go ahead.

A spokesman for Eirgrid said that no decision had been made regarding the Celtic Interconnector, and that the company does not yet know how much land would be required for the project.

“The Celtic Interconnector is currently at feasibility study stage, with no decision due on whether or not to proceed to development until 2016.

“This decision will be made in conjunction with our partner on the proposal, the French transmission system operator, Rte,” Shane Griffin, Eirgrid public affairs specialist, said.

“The marine survey studies that are currently being undertaken are part of a process which will help to make an informed decision on the feasibility, benefits and next steps.

“It is unknown how much land would be required to develop the Celtic Interconnector, as each aspect of the proposal is currently being assessed as part of the feasibility study,” Mr Griffin said.

Eirgrid says the route being considered for the Celtic Interconnector runs between the south coast of Ireland and the north west coast of France.

Some 500km of the 600km route will be underwater and Eirgrid says that the project would enhance the flexible exchange of power flows with mainland Europe, among other benefits.

The Celtic Interconnector represents the latest contentious issue between Eirgrid and the community council in Knockraha, which is 10km north east of Glanmire.

Last year the community council objected to Eirgrid’s proposed expansion of its existing substation near the East Cork village.

They called for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out prior to the granting of any planning permission for the development.