Monday 24 September 2012

First Ireland-Britain electricity link opened

The first electricity link to connect Ireland with Britain was officially opened last week.

Developed by EirGrid, the 'East West’ subsea interconnector has the capacity to transport 500MW of energy, enough to power around 300,000 homes.

It is expected to improve security of supply and encourage the growth of renewable energy generation.

At the official opening with Pat Rabbitte TD, Ireland's Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (pictured), Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “This new connection between our electricity grids will improve our mutual energy security, it will improve competition – bearing down on the price ultimately paid by consumers – and it will allow more of Ireland’s abundant wind energy access to the massive UK customer base.”

Commercial operation is expected to begin next month.