Celtic Interconnector
Knockraha, Ireland and La Martyre, France
Location
CountryIreland, France
Coordinates51°54′56.9″N 8°13′48.7″W / 51.915806°N 8.230194°W / 51.915806; -8.230194 (Celtic Interconnector - Ireland)
48°26′35.5″N 4°11′50.3″W / 48.443194°N 4.197306°W / 48.443194; -4.197306 (Celtic Interconnector - France)
General directionnorth-south
FromKnockraha, Ireland
Passes throughCeltic Sea
ToLa Martyre, France
Ownership information
PartnersEirGrid, RTE
Construction information
Expected2026
Technical information
Typesubmarine cable
Type of currentHVDC
Total length575 km (357 mi)
Power rating700 MW
DC voltage± 320 kV

The Celtic Interconnector is a 700 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine power cable under construction between the southern coast of Ireland and the north-west coast of France.[1] It will be the first such interconnector between the two countries.

The director general of EirGrid stated in 2022 that the interconnector was arguably "the most important Irish infrastructure project for this decade".[2]

Route

The cable is due to run between the Knockraha substation in County Cork to the La Martyre substation in Finistère.[3]

Of its total length of 575 km (357 miles), 500 km (311 miles) will pass through Irish, British and French waters of the Celtic Sea.[1]

Technical specification

The electrical interconnector, which will be the first between the two countries, has a planned capacity of 700 MW.[1][4]

The project also includes plans for a direct fibre optic communications link between Ireland and France.[5][6]

Project promoters

The project is a joint venture between the Irish transmission system operator (TSO) EirGrid and French TSO Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE) for the purpose of improving security of supply, reducing consumer electricity costs and supporting the development of renewable energy.[1][7]

Project economics

In 2016 the interconnector had an initial expected cost of €1 billion.[1]

As of November 2022, the interconnector was expected to cost €1.6 billion.[8][9] According to the then Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, "The Celtic Interconnector will bring tangible benefits to the citizens of both France and Ireland by promoting the use of renewable energy, bringing down electricity prices, and helping ensure security of energy supply".[2]

Project history

In July 2016, after completion of a feasibility study the two countries agreed to proceed with a two-year planning phase.[7] This included an economic assessment, environmental considerations and will determine the placement of the cable and onshore stations, while a decision initially due on the project is foreseen for 2020 or 2021.[10] In May 2018, the project was granted a foreshore license to begin marine surveys for the potential landing sites at Ballinwilling, Claycastle and Redbarn beaches, County Cork.[11]

In 2018, the project was given preliminary approval for European Investment Bank funding as part of preparations by Ireland for Brexit,[12] for €530 million.[13]

By 2019, the project had been designated a European Project of Common Interest as part of the European Super Grid.[14]

Three potential landing sites on the Cork coast were identified and six locations (Ballyadam, Leamlara, Knockraha, Pigeon Hill, Kilquane and Ballyvatta) were under consideration for the HVDC converter station.[15]

By 2019, due to the potential impact of Brexit on electricity trading over the existing Ireland – UK HVDC interconnectors, planning for the Celtic Interconnector had accelerated.[16]

In December 2020, EirGrid and RTE signed a €520 million European Commission funding agreement for the Celtic Interconnector.[17]

As of 2021, the cable was expected to be operational by 2026.[1][18] In August 2021, the project was at step five in the planning process and was expected to continue until 2022.[19]

In May 2022, An Bord Pleanala granted permission for the onshore portion of the project[20] while in August 2022, the Department for Housing Local Government and Heritage granted the project a foreshore licence, an important permit for the undersea work involved.[21]

On 14 Sept 2022, the UK Marine Management Organisation granted a licence for the project to proceed.[22] This was the last major license required before Step 6 construction could start in late 2022.[19]

In November 2022, final construction and finance agreements were signed off by the Irish and French governments at the Irish embassy in Paris with the interconnector "due to be completed and operational by 2026".[2][19]

In October 2023 RTE had started work in La Martyre on the converter station there called Ar Merzher. The converter station is scheduled to be completed by 2026.[23]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "President Hollande and An Taoiseach Kenny agree €1 billion Ireland-France Electricity Interconnector". 4coffshore.com. 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  2. 1 2 3 Meskill, Tommy (25 November 2022). "Celtic Interconnector will lead to lower prices - Ryan". RTÉ. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  3. ↑ "Celtic Interconnector: interconnection project between France and Ireland". RTÉ. p. Overview:What does the Celtic Interconnector Project entail?. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  4. ↑ "La ligne France-Irlande en courant continu repousse les frontières du super-réseau électrique européen" [France-Ireland Direct Current line pushes the boundaries of the European electricity super-grid]. L'Usine Nouvelle. 6 December 2019.
  5. ↑ "Celtic Interconnector". eirgridgroup.com. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  6. ↑ "EUR 4 million EU funding for proposed electricity link between France and Ireland - Energy - European Commission". ec.europa.eu. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  7. 1 2 Hunt, Gordon (2016-07-21). "Subsea electricity cable linking Ireland and France powers ahead". siliconrepublic.com. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  8. ↑ "Le projet de liaison électrique France-Irlande maintenu malgré un surcoût de 550 millions d'euros" [France-Ireland Electrical Link Project to Continue Despite EUR 550 million cost increase] (in French). La Tribune. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "Celtic Interconnector: accord signé pour construire la première liaison électrique entre la France et l'Irlande" [Celtic Interconnector: Accord Signed For Construction Of First Electrical Link between France and Ireland]. La Tribune. 25 November 2022.
  10. ↑ Bairstow, Jonny (2016-07-25). "Ireland-France power link reaches planning stage". energylivenews.com. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  11. ↑ "Eirgrid Plc - Ballinwilling, Claycastle & Redbarn Beaches". Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
  12. ↑ "European bank to help fund electricity cable linking Ireland and France in light of Brexit". The Journal. 15 October 2018.
  13. ↑ "EU Backs Celtic Interconnector and Harmony Link". Subsea World News. 4 December 2019.
  14. ↑ "Celtic Interconnector - What's Happening Now". EirGrid Group.
  15. ↑ O'Riordan, Sean (11 April 2019). "Shortlist of sites chosen for submarine electricity cable between France and Ireland". Irish Examiner.
  16. ↑ O'Riordan, Sean (8 May 2019). "Part of €930m Celtic Interconnector may run along former Midleton-Youghal railway". Irish Examiner.
  17. ↑ "EirGrid and RTE Sign €530 million Funding Agreement for the Celtic Interconnector". Celtic Interconnector. 9 Dec 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  18. ↑ Darmody, Jenny (2021-07-16). "EirGrid hits 'critical milestone' in €1bn Celtic Interconnector project". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  19. 1 2 3 "Celtic Interconnector". EirGrid. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  20. ↑ Goodbody, Will (23 May 2022). "Celtic Interconnector is granted planning permission". RTÉ. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  21. ↑ O'Halloran, Barry (31 August 2022). "Government licenses Irish-French power line". The Irish Times. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  22. ↑ "Case ref: MLA/2021/00323". MMO: View Applications and Documents. Marine Management Organisation. To access, view the Public Register searching for Case Ref: MLA/2021/00323. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  23. ↑ "Celtic Interconnector Newsletter 1" (PDF). eirgridgroup.com (Press release). October 2023.
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