Deeside To Export Electricity to Ireland

Long-term construction project will allow Ireland to export power to and import power from Britain

Eirgrid, Ireland’s electricity grid operator, has awarded the €600 million contract for a power line linking Ireland and Britain to Swedish company ABB.

Eirgrid manages the national system for transmitting and distributing electricity. The interconnector will run between the east coast and Wales. The EU is contributing €110 million to the project, which will allow for export and import of electricity to and from Britain. ABB won out over four other companies – including the German giant Siemens – vying for the contract and will design, manufacture and install the cable. The project is due for completion in 2012.

ABB manufactures cables, switches and most equipment needed by electricity transmission systems. It also designs and builds the systems themselves. Last year it had revenues of €34.9 billion and net income of €3.1 billion. The company has its roots in both Switzerland and Sweden and has been doing business since the mid-19th century.

The interconnector will link Deeside in north Wales and Woodland in County Meath, where Eirgrid operates a substation. It will come ashore close to Rush, County Dublin. Construction will create about 100 jobs.

Eirgrid Chief Executive Dermot Byrne said the interconnector is vital for Ireland. “It will help to ensure that Ireland has enough electricity to meet our needs into the future in a sustainable manner. Importantly, the interconnector will also support the energy sector in adapting to meet the challenges posed by climate change and fuel security,” he said.

Source: The Irish Times

Originally posted 2009-04-01 08:38:22.