Eirgrid identify potential corridors for Grid West project

Eirgrid identify potential corridors for Grid West project


Anton McNulty
antonmcnulty@mayonews.ie

A NUMBER of open days on the Grid West project will take place in Mayo next week after Eirgrid identified a number of potential corridors which can accommodate the high powered transmission line through the county.
Eirgrid published the first significant report on the Grid West project which seeks to develop a new high capacity power line linking the Bellacorick area to a strong point on the transmission grid at either Flagford in Co Roscommon or Cashla in Co Galway.
“This is a key milestone for the Grid West project as today, for the first time, we bring before the public a number of potential corridors which can accommodate this new transmission line to provide 21st century electricity infrastructure for the west of Ireland. With this information we are also starting a new round of focused public consultation so that individuals and communities in the region can engage and interact with the project team,” said Grid West Project Manager, Alan McHugh.
The €240m Grid West project looks to develop a new high capacity power line by connecting the electricity generated by the region’s huge renewable energy resources. Grid West is part of EirGrid’s Grid25 plan to upgrade the national grid between now and 2025 to deliver a sustainable, competitive and secure electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries.
“This Stage 1 Report marks the culmination of the initial information gathering stage of the project. This focused on mapping the key features including towns, villages and settlements, national monuments, landscapes, areas designated for conservation and all existing infrastructure which may have a bearing on the project,” explained Mr McHugh.
The report analyses in detail how various constraints impact on these corridors and identifies a corridor from Bellacorick to Flagford as being the ‘least constrained’ to meet the needs of the project. The least constrained corridor is considered by EirGrid’s consultants to be the corridor which best avoids the environmental and other constraints or limitations which have been identified by the project to date.
Mr McHugh stressed that no decisions regarding the final corridor or route have been made. “We are asking the public and communities to view the work which has been carried out to date and to share their views with us on all the potential route corridors that have been identified including the least constrained corridor and on any aspect of the project and findings of the report.”
Eight open days will be held across the region at which the public can meet the project team, view the work which has been done and give their feedback.
In Mayo, the open days will take place in the Kiltane GAA Club in Bangor Erris on March 11; in Hotel Ballina on March 12; The Gateway Hotel, Swinford on March 13 and in the McWilliam Hotel, Claremorris on March 14.
The project’s Information Centre in Castlebar will be open from 9am to 5pm until April 16 where the report and all related maps can be viewed. The public can call lo call 1890 940 802 to discuss the project or email the team at gridwest@eirgrid.com.

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