EirGrid considers Ireland-France electricity interconnector

EirGrid has agreed to explore the possibility of building an electricity interconnector between Ireland and France.

The State company responsible for operating the Irish grid has signed a memorandum of understanding with its French counterpart, Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE), to commission further studies on the feasibility of constructing a submarine electricity interconnector between the two countries.

If developed, the Ireland-France interconnector would run between the south coast and the northwest coast of France. It would comprise a cable length of about 600km.

EirGrid and RTE have conducted studies in recent months that suggest an interconnector between the two countries would benefit energy consumers in both. Under the agreement, the two grid operators will “deepen their co-operation”, said EirGrid.

Potential route corridors
The feasibility studies undertaken this year will analyse the seabed to identify potential route corridors.

If it proceeds the link would not be operative until 2025.

The capacity of the Ireland-France interconnector could be approximately 700 megawatts, or the equivalent of the power demand of about 450,000 households, said EirGrid.

"The benefits of the Ireland-France interconnector could include increased security of supply, downward price pressure on electricity prices through competition and the potential to export renewable energy," said EirGrid chief executive Fintan Slye.

Pierre Bornard, senior executive vice-president at RTE, said the interconnector would "facilitate the integration of renewable energy in the European electricity system" and would benefit from the varying wind resources of Ireland and the continent.

Last year, EirGrid completed the €570 million construction of the 500 megawatt submarine East-West Interconnector between Ireland and Wales. The cable, which can carry enough power to supply about 350,000 homes, was the first interconnector between the Republic and Britain.

EirGrid is also making a number of domestic investments.

These include: the Grid West project from Co Mayo to either Co Galway or Co Roscommon; the North-South interconnector from Co Tyrone to Co Meath; and the Grid Link project, which runs through Co Cork, Co Wexford and Co Kildare.