Anton McNulty
antonmcnulty@mayonews.ie
The construction of a high capacity power line through Mayo will assist the region to attract inward investment and potential job creation according to An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.
Public consultation on an EirGrid project which involves the construction of a high capacity power line from Bellacorick to a strong point on the transmission grid began last Friday following its launch.
The Grid West project is based on the region’s renewable potential and it is envisaged that, in time, the project will involve two high capacity power lines from Bellacorick to both Cashla in County Galway and Flagford in County Roscommon.
It is hoped that by connecting the electricity generated by the region’s renewable energy resources such as tidal and wind power, the Grid West project will facilitate significant job creation and investment as well as contributing to national recovery and growth.
In order to put Ireland on the ‘path to recovery’, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny said that it ‘is essential that we maximise the use of our indigenous resources’.
“The west of Ireland is particularly rich in renewable energy resources and has the potential for much job creation. Harnessing and exploiting this resource for Ireland will require detailed planning involving high levels of engagement between communities and EirGrid that will allow the construction of critical infrastructure for the benefit of the West and for Ireland. This infrastructure will also assist the region to attract inward investment that requires a strong reliable source of power,” he said.
The Grid West Project is at its initial stage and the first plan is to publish and gather information on the study area, the search area within which the project will be located. Alan McHugh, Grid West project manager, said the public will be consulted extensively through a series of consultations to gather information and that EirGrid will ensure the views of all stakeholders interested in the project will be heard.
The Grid West project is part of EirGrid’s Grid25 projects which plan to develop and upgrade the electricity transmission network from now until 2025. Dermot Byrne, EirGrid Chief Executive said this was the one of the largest single Grid25 projects, initially accounting for €240m of the investment earmarked for the region.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, highlighted the increasing importance of wind power in Ireland’s energy future.
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