Making new connections

The interconnection of different countries’ electricity grids makes eminent sense. It allows for excess power from one country to be sold to the other when necessary and helps network operators cater for surges in demand. It also offers considerable advantages when it comes to renewables like wind. The bigger the geographic spread of a grid the more variable its weather conditions, making it less likely that wind will suddenly cease across the whole network, for example.

The Republic of Ireland has long had cross-Border interconnections with Northern Ireland and more recently with mainland Britain. EirGrid Interconnector DAC owns the East West Interconnector linking the electricity grids in Ireland and Britain. This is a 500 MW high voltage direct current (HVDC) link between the electricity transmission grids of two countries and is one of the largest voltage source conversion HVDC links in operation worldwide.

EirGrid is now exploring the potential for an interconnector with France. This project was first mooted in the 2009 Interconnector Economic Feasibility Report which identified that having an interconnector with France was worth pursuing. Since then, EirGrid has been working with its French counterpart, Réseau de Transport d'Electricité (RTE), to investigate the feasibility of such an electrical link between the two countries.

These feasibility studies have yielded positive results. The proposed Celtic Interconnector would see the construction of a 500km cable between north-west France and the south-east of Ireland. The benefits would include: the ability to import and export 700 MW of electricity, the equivalent of supplying power to around 450,000 homes; enhanced security of supply for Irish electricity users, as it would provide Ireland's only direct energy connection to an EU member state once the United Kingdom leaves the EU; apply downward pressure on the cost of electricity to consumers in Ireland; and help facilitate Ireland's transition to a low carbon energy future.

The project took another step closer to reality in June when the EU announced €4 million in funding for its initial design and pre-consultation phase. This phase will continue into 2018 and comprise an in-depth economic assessment of the project; a suite of technical and environmental studies; and pre-consultation activities in preparation for possible future permit granting procedures in France and Ireland.

EirGrid's expertise in projects such as this has made it a sought-after partner for European research projects, according to Philip Cheasty of Enterprise Ireland. "Grid integration and cross-border networks are areas where Ireland has been quite successful in securing funding under the EU Horizon 2020 research programmes. EirGrid gets asked to take part in a lot of research projects and is involved in quite a number of projects around Europe. The organisation has very good links into research groups here in Ireland as well."

The importance of interconnection in light of Brexit is not lost on Cheasty. “If the UK pulls out of energy directives such as the Energy Efficiency Directive, we will have to see how that affects countries that interact with UK. There are so many side-issues around energy such as the North-South interconnectors and the all-island electricity market. We will just have to wait and see.”

Interconnectors are important, and not just in the context of Brexit, according to KPMG partner Mike Hayes. "Element Power is looking at an interconnector between Wexford and Wales," he notes. "If we have surplus wind power in Ireland, interconnectors will create a new export opportunity for this country."

On Brexit, he says that it is difficult to comment on something when we don’t know what the model will be. “On the other hand, we are looking at a world that’s going green much quicker than people think. You can’t ignore Brexit of course but the overall global market fundamentals are much more significant.”