Media Release from North East Pylon Pressure Campaign (NEPPC)
23rd June 2014
Grid-West underground route highlights unjust decision
to exclude North-South interconnector from same
analysis
Tame Coalition representatives in North-East have failed to deliver
for their constituents
There are 3 major electricity transmission infrastructure projects being advanced
by EirGrid as part of its ‘Grid 25’ strategy, namely:
1. The North-South interconnector project, announced in 2007, stretching140
km from Meath to Tyrone.
2. Grid-West project, announced in 2012 running c. 110 km from Mayo to
Roscommon, and
3. Grid-Link project, announced in 2013, stretching 250 km from Kildare to
Cork .
The Government has appointed an Independent Expert Panel (IEP) to examine
the undergrounding of the Grid-West and Grid-Link projects, but has excluded
the North-South interconnector project, on the grounds of ‘urgency’.
EirGrid today announced that it has identified an underground route option for
Grid-West, which will be analysed, following which it will examine a similar option
for Grid-Link. But the North-South interconnector remains excluded.
The exclusion of the North-South interconnector project from this analysis is an
illogical and unjust decision. It is deeply unfair and discriminatory to the affected
communities across the North-East.
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The admission by EirGrid that it has not adequately examined an underground
cable option for Grid-West and Grid-Link is equally valid for the North-South
interconnector. Why then is EirGrid forging ahead with an overhead lines and
pylons planning application for the North-South interconnector? A decision on the
feasibility, affordability and acceptability of underground cable technology is a
strategic decision. It is also a national decision. The exclusion of the North-South
interconnector is a cynical exercise in regionalising the issue and in alienating the
communities in the North-East.
NEPPC wishes to make the following points on the specific proposals outlined by
EirGrid for undergrounding the Grid –West route:

EirGrid has finally conceded that undergrounding is technically feasible,
using HVDC technology. This is a major U-turn, and in direct contradiction
with recent statements from Minister Rabbitte in relation to the NorthSouth interconnector:
“Apart from the question of money there is a technical issue about
meshing the two systems which means that the cables cannot go
underground”. (Irish Times 29th January, 2014)

NEPPC has been consistently calling on EirGrid for the last 7 years to
carry out a route specific underground study for the North-South
interconnector. It yet again calls on EirGrid to do this. It can take this
initiative independently of the Government’s cynical decision to exclude
the North-South interconnector from the IEP review.

The main issue being focused on is now distilled down to one of cost.
NEPPC wishes to emphasise that the public will not be fooled by any
attempt at voodoo economics by EirGrid. All project costs, including
comparative land and property devaluation, tourism, agricultural and delay
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costs need to be factored in, rather than an attempt to look at construction
costs only.

NEPPC wishes to record its deep dissatisfaction with the Government
elected representatives in the North-East. It is clear that the case for the
North-South interconnector has not been adequately represented and that
our Government elected representatives have been spineless in
challenging Minister Rabbitte’s decision to ignore the genuine concerns of
the people of the North-East. Why have our Government elected
representatives stood idly by and done nothing to reverse the decision on
the exclusion of the North-South interconnector project?
- ENDS –
Further Information:
North East Pylon Pressure Campaign Limited
087- 680 36 66
pjboreilly@eircom.net
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